As the Deputy has stated, my Department has been allocated €10.579m in capital funding for civil aviation in 2019. Of this amount, €10.4 million is available to fund capital grant schemes under the Regional Airports Programme (RAP). The remainder of the allocation covers IT and accommodation services for associated functions within the Department.
Towards the end of last year, my Department invited the regional airports to submit applications for capital funding in respect of 2019. These applications, which were received in January, are currently being examined by an assessment panel comprising representatives from my Department, the IAA and NewERA. The panel examines the eligibility of project proposals in line with the safety and security related criteria for the associated CAPEX and PPR-C schemes under the Regional Airports Programme.
The assessment process is due to conclude in the coming weeks, and I intend to make an announcement on the allocations for each airport shortly thereafter.