Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
393. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the level of intervention he will take in respect of State airports in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and his plans to introduce a further round of financial assistance to State airports in 2021-22 in view of the real possibility that inward and outbound air travel may not be possible again in 2021. [15862/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, from early in the Covid crisis, the Government put in place a broad range of unprecedented supports to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic on business, including a wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, a commercial rates waiver and deferred tax liabilities. Irish airlines and airports have availed of over €200 million through these supports and some of these schemes have been extended until the end of June. Our State airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon are availing of these supports.
In addition, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances being faced by airports and taking account of the recommendations of the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery, the Government announced an €80 million funding package specifically for Irish aviation in November, 2020, which includes funding for State airports in 2021.
As part of that package, €32.1 million has been allocated to a new Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme. The State airports that will benefit from this funding are Cork and Shannon. My Department is currently reviewing applications for capital supports under this Programme and I expect recommendations for funding to be submitted to me for consideration shortly. Cork and Shannon Airports will also be invited to apply for operational supports under this Programme, later in the year.
In addition to funding under the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021, my Department has also developed supplementary support schemes to help address liquidity issues at airports as a result of Covid-19.
These new schemes, for which a budget of €26 million has been allocated in 2021, were State aid approved by the European Commission on 24 February.
One of these schemes, with a budget of approximately €20 million, has been designed specifically to help compensate State airports for damage caused by Covid-19 in 2020. The Scheme will provide the airports with the flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, with a view to supporting recovery and growth of connectivity when circumstances allow. State airports will be invited to apply for funding under this scheme shortly.
It cannot be excluded that further targeted supports may be required, particularly in the event that restrictions on travel remain in place throughout the forthcoming summer season and Government will continue to monitor the situation in this regard.
