David Cullinane
Ceist:502. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding being made available to extend the runway at Waterford Airport. [17645/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 April 2018
Ceisteanna (502)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, capital supports under my Department's Regional Airports Programme are targeted at grant-aiding investments in the areas of safety and security and to assist the smaller airports in ensuring compliance with international regulatory requirements in these areas. Waterford Airport has received substantial Exchequer support in the past under the Programme - €20 million over the past 10 years - to assist it with implementing necessary safety and security related projects and activities.
The scope of the Regional Airports Programme does not extend to supporting the development of capacity expansions at the regional airports. The Exchequer does not invest in airports for development purposes, whether at State airports or regional airports. Decisions of that nature - for example, the proposed runway extension at Waterford - are commercial matters for airports themselves and are outside the scope of the Programme. The airport authorities in Waterford are aware of this position.
The current position is that my Department is arranging for an independent consultant to undertake a review of the options for Waterford Airport and it is hoped to have this review completed by mid-year.