Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2021
215. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport the timeline with respect to various approvals within Departments in respect of the current €40 million capital project being undertaken at Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58138/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Cork Airport is undertaking a Runway Reconstruction and Remediation Project. This is the single-biggest construction project, and the biggest investment by daa, at Cork Airport since the opening of the new terminal building in 2006.
In line with the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021, Cork Airport was invited to apply for capital funding under the Programme. Applications received from Cork Airport included a proposal for the runway overlay project.
Given the costs involved, this project fell within the scope of the Public Spending Code (PSC). In this context, Cork Airport submitted all required documentation under the PSC, up to and including a Final Business Case (FBC) for the project. The Strategic Research and Analysis Division (SRAD) of my Department conducted a technical assessment of the appraisal to determine its compliance with the PSC. On the basis of the submitted material, SRAD concluded, on 23 June 2021, that the economic appraisal had been conducted in accordance with the relevant guidelines as set out in the PSC. The project was then recommended to me for funding by an Assessment Panel established by my Department, and comprising of representatives from my Department, the Irish Aviation Authority and NewERA.
On foot of the above, €10m in Exchequer funding for this project was announced on 12th July 2021 under the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021.
