Cullen announces €86 million capital grants package for the regional airports

Date: 21 February 2007

Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD, today (Wednesday 21 February 2007) together with his colleague Minister of State, Pat the Cope Gallagher, announced that the Government has given approval for capital grants amounting to €86 million for the country’s six regional airports from within the €100 million earmarked for these airports under Transport 21, the Government’s investment programme for transport. The regional airports in Ireland are: Ireland West Airport Knock; Kerry Airport; Waterford South East Regional Airport; Donegal Airport, Sligo Airport and Galway Airport.

Speaking today, Minister Cullen said: “This unprecedented level of investment reflects the Government’s conviction that the regional airports have a key role to play in facilitating balanced regional development. Transport 21 is all about building better links to bring communities together and to ensure that the benefits of our national prosperity are shared throughout the island. This grant aid will substantially boost the ability of the regional airports and contribute to that process by attracting inward investment and generating additional tourism business.”

The Minister’s announcement today refers to a new capital grants scheme launched by his Department in mid 2006.

The beneficiaries under the scheme are:

· Ireland West Airport Knock is to receive €27 million, including €17 million for a major apron (aircraft parking area) and terminal building extension. The airport has a 2,300-metre runway and a proven track record. The decision recognises the airport’s key strategic importance to the west and northwest.

· Kerry Airport is to receive almost €17.7 million. Included in this sum is a maximum amount of €13.1 million for terminal and related facilities to cater for a substantial projected increase in tourist business, especially short break traffic, in this tourism region.

· Waterford South East Regional Airport is to receive €22.3 million, that includes €13 million for a runway extension and widening, and other improvements. This investment will address one of the key infrastructure deficits in the southeast region.

· Donegal, Sligo and Galway regional airports are to receive €3.8 million, €8.5 million and €6.3 million respectively for projects aimed at providing enhanced levels of safety and security, including in the case of Sligo, an essential runway end safety project. Included in Galway Airport’s €6.3 million allocation is the sum of €3.5 million for developmental works.

Minister Cullen said: “The injection of funds I am announcing today gives the regional airports a new lease of life and tackles head-on some of the infrastructural obstacles to their further development. These airports operate in a very competitive environment and I know that implementing the investment programme and achieving the projected increase in business will be a major challenge for them. However, the Government is very encouraged by the spirit of enterprise in a sector, which has seen passenger traffic almost treble between 2000 and 2006”.

Minister of State for Transport, Pat the Cope Gallagher said: “We look forward confidently to a network of regional airports substantially better equipped to serve the needs of their catchment areas on a safe and sustainable basis in the years ahead.”

Issued by: Michelle Hoctor 087 8563070
Veronica Scanlan 087 6430622