Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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106. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on aligning the regional airports programme with EU criteria so that both Shannon and Cork airports can access capital supplied along with aligning the national aviation policy with Project Ireland 2040 to strengthen the role of airports as key strategic assets for balance regional development. [30468/20]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide Shannon Airport access to airport capital expenditure funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 114 together.

Historically, the Government's Regional Airports Programme, has targeted aid at Ireland's smallest airports - those airports that typically handle less than 1 million passengers.

As a result, Shannon and Cork airports have always been ineligible for support under the Programme.

However, in recognition of the devastating effects of Covid, Budget 2021 has provided capital funding of €10m under a new one year Programme which both Shannon and Cork airports will be eligible for in 2021. This funding, which will be focused on safety and security related projects, will go some way towards protecting the cash position of these companies as they deal with the crisis.

I should point out that airports, like Shannon and Cork, are also benefitting from the unprecedented general horizontal supports provided by Government. These supports include wage subsidies, waiver of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. A number of these supports have been extended in line with recommendations from the Task Force for Aviation Recovery.

Finally, it is intended that further measures will be included in the forthcoming National Economic Plan.