Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
300. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the amount of state aid granted to the Shannon Airport Authority since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic that has been for operational expenditure; the amount that has been for capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14564/21]
View answerSince the onset of Covid-19, Government has established a broad range of supports to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic on business. Most of the supports - wage subsidy schemes, grants, low-cost loans, commercial rates waivers and deferred tax liabilities – are operational supports.
In terms of funding that has been allocated to Shannon Airport Authority specifically, a capital provision of €6.1 million was approved by Government in June last year to assist the airport in completing a hold baggage screening project.
Towards the end of 2020, Government also gave approval for the development of a new €32.1 million funding programme to support regional State airports in 2021. Of this amount, €16.5 million has been allocated to capital projects and €15.6 million has been put in place to support non-economic operational activities. Shannon Airport Authority (along with Cork Airport) is eligible to apply for supports under this Programme. An invitation to apply for funding has issued and capital funding requests from the airports are currently being assessed by the Department. Invitations to apply for operational funding will issue later in the year, most likely September.
In addition to the foregoing, my Department recently secured EU approval for a new Covid-19 supports package, which includes a measure to provide some compensation to all the State airports (including Dublin Airport) for damage caused by Covid-19 in 2020. The total budget for this measure is approximately €20m. The State Airports will shortly be invited to apply for this funding.
