Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent of any ongoing assistance being provided to the aviation sector post-Covid given the pressures experienced by airlines during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21277/22]
View answerGovernment has put in place a range of supports for businesses, including those in the aviation sector, including the wage subsidy scheme, alleviation of commercial rates, the COVID Restriction Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme. It has been estimated that approximately €360 million was received between 2020 and 2021 under a number of these supports by Irish airlines and airports. The ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund has also been utilised by a number of our aviation stakeholders.
The Government allocated €161 million in aviation specific supports in 2021 to Irish airports. This included €116 million allocated under an EU State Aid approved COVID-19 Supplementary Support Scheme. This funding has compensated our regional airports at Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry for the damage caused to them by COVID-19 as well as having provided our State Airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork with the flexibility to roll out route and other incentives, in consultation with airlines, supporting recovery and growth of connectivity.
Both the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 and COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021 provided €45 million in 2021, benefiting Ireland West, Kerry, Donegal, Cork, and Shannon Airports.
Ireland West, Kerry, and Donegal Airports were eligible under the Regional Airports Programme in 2021 and have remained eligible in 2022. By virtue of their size and passenger numbers, Shannon and Cork Airports have never, before now, been eligible for funding under this Programme. However, due to suppressed passenger numbers in 2020 and 2021, as a direct result of COVID-19, both airports have become eligible for funding under the Programme in 2022.
On 19 April, €16.4 million in Exchequer funding was announced under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. Almost €6.6 million has been allocated to our regional airports at Ireland West, Kerry, and Donegal and over €9.8 million has been allocated to our regional State airports at Shannon and Cork. Airports eligible for funding under this Programme will also be eligible to apply for operational grant-aid, from a budget of €22 million, later this year.
Government has maintained a strong commitment to the aviation sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, and through the provision of cross-economy and bespoke supports, it is well-positioned for recovery.
