Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14221/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 9 April 2024
Ceisteanna (207)
Freagraí scríofa
Daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin airport and has submitted a planning application to Fingal County Council seeking to increase the passenger cap to 40m and planning permission for capacity enhancing projects including new aircraft piers and stands. I cannot intervene in the planning process, including the application seeking an extension of the existing passenger cap at Dublin Airport. No capacity constraints exist at our Regional airports.
However, I can advise the Deputy that increasing capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with the National Aviation Policy, which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport to meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes the objective to develop Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport.
Government acknowledges the value of aviation in supporting economic development, international connectivity and tourism via airports. With regard to our regional airports, Government policy seeks to optimise conditions for regional development and connectivity, both for social and economic benefits. In line with these objectives, through Exchequer funded programmes, over €149m in targeted capital and operational supports to our regional airports has been provided over the past 10 years. This funding has supported vital safety and security related projects and activities at our regional airports, ensuring that these airports have remained compliant with EU safety and security related obligations.
This funding included over €41m in supports for Shannon Airport and almost €33m for Cork Airport. Almost €15m of Cork Airport’s funding supported a runway overlay and electrical substation project, a key strategic asset for the South of Ireland for the next 20 years. The Deputy will be pleased to note that passenger numbers at Cork Airport last month were up 25% compared to March 2023 and at Shannon Airport, passenger numbers last month have increased by almost 17% when compared with March 2023.
In addition to these targeted supports, an unprecedented €116m in Exchequer funding was provided to Irish airports in 2021 under an EU State aid approved COVID-19 Supplementary Support Scheme for Irish airports. This funding has compensated our small regional airports at Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry for the damage caused to them by COVID as well as having provided our State airports with the flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, greatly supporting recovery and growth of connectivity.
This level of funding in recent years is a clear indication of the importance Government attaches to our regional airports being well positioned for growth. Ireland has established good connectivity via our regional airports with the UK, Europe and America. Exchequer funding provided to date has enabled this connectivity and the strong recovery of traffic through our regional airports, with passenger traffic across the regional airports last year recorded as 9% above 2019 passenger levels (the last comparable period prior to COVID-19).