Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
718. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for Shannon Airport in order to assist the role of the airport in the recovery of the mid-western region post-Covid-19. [12432/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Shannon Airport.
At the outset I would like to acknowledge the significant challenges being faced by Shannon Airport which has been severely impacted by Covid-19 and the consequential imposition of travel restrictions and the cancellation of flights. Despite these challenges the airport remains open with restricted hours to facilitate cargo operations, essential passenger travel, emergency flights, reparations and diversions. Indeed I would like to acknowledge and thank the Airport for its commitment to keeping the airport open and for keeping passengers and staff safe during this difficult time.
The Deputy will be aware that in response to Covid-19, the Government has put in place a broad range of supports to help mitigate the effects of the crisis. One such support is the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. This Scheme allows employers to continue to pay their employees during the COVID-19 emergency. It aims, as we know, to keep employees registered with their employers, so that they will be able to get back to work quickly after the pandemic. The Scheme, introduced on March 26 and initially expected to last 12 weeks until mid-June 2020, was recently extended by Government to end August 2020. Shannon Group is availing of the supports under this Scheme.
Unfortunately Shannon Airport is not alone in the challenges it faces, as the entire aviation industry is one of the industries most affected by the global pandemic. It was for this reason that I established a taskforce to spearhead the rehabilitation of the aviation industry. The Aviation Taskforce is charged with advising on a framework for promoting the return of aviation connectivity and aviation enterprises that are critical to supporting the wider economic recovery. It will prepare an Aviation Recovery Action Plan setting out recommendations for consideration by Government as appropriate. The Action Plan should be concluded and submitted by July 10th.
Also, the Deputy may be aware that Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I recently established a Tourism Recovery Taskforce that will prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan. Increasing air and sea access to the regions will be an important element of recovery in the tourism sector. Tourism Ireland has been working for many years to drive demand for routes to the regions, and in particular Shannon Airport, through co-operative marketing campaigns in conjunction with the airport, the airlines and other partners. Through the Regional Co-operative Market Access Scheme, €2.5 million has been made available to Tourism Ireland in 2020 for co-operative marketing activity to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions. When the current crisis does abate, and when air connectivity and air services have been restored, Shannon Airport will once again be in a position to avail of this Scheme.
Finally, I fully appreciate and acknowledge the important role of Shannon Airport to the economy of the Midwest region and indeed nationally. My Department continues to work closely with Shannon Group to ensure that the Company, including Shannon Airport, will be well positioned operationally to contribute to the post pandemic recovery.
