Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1232. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding Waterford Airport has received from his Department under the capital expenditure grant scheme in each of the years 2013 to 2017. [15402/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regional Airports Programme operated by my Department provides Exchequer funding in the form of both capital and operational grants towards necessary safety and security related projects and activities at the four regional airports, including Waterford Airport.
Details of grants, both capital and operational, provided to Waterford Airport under the Programme for the years 2013 to 2017 are set out in the Table.
Since Waterford Airport has not had any scheduled passenger air services since June 2016, no Exchequer funding was provided in 2017. As the Deputy will be aware, the fundamental rationale for providing Exchequer support to any of the four regional airports is that scheduled services are provided at those airports on a year-round basis for the travelling public.
However, my Department provided a sum of €375,000 to the Airport in January last to safeguard the Coast Guard Search and Rescue service for the first six months of this year. This was an exceptional measure, given the Airport’s current difficult financial situation and will ensure that the important work of the Search and Rescue service can continue while an evaluation of the Airport’s future is undertaken.
Table - Funding under Regional Airports Programme to Waterford Airport 2013-2017
|
Year |
Capital Grants (€) |
Operating Grants (€) |
Total (€) |
|
2013 |
361,686 |
1,121,399 |
1,483,085 |
|
2014 |
533,210 |
1,038,784 |
1,571,994 |
|
2015 |
776,125 |
1,139,030 |
1,915,155 |
|
2016 |
18,381 |
1,020,215 |
1,038,596 |
|
2017 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTAL |
1,689,402 |
4,319,428 |
6,008,830 |
