Naoise Ó Muirí
Question:384. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport for the level of funding provided to an airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39338/26]
View answerTuesday, 26 May 2026
Questions (384)
Written answers
In relation to the detail being sought by the Deputy, I wish to advise that records are maintained by my Department for the period 2000-2025. Over this period, Exchequer supports totalling over €78 million were provided to Ireland West Airport, with additional funding to be drawn down throughout 2026.
Due to the large volume of data in tabular form, my private office will provide this directly to the Deputy.
The majority of funding provided to Ireland West Airport was under Regional Airports Programmes, the last of which expired in 2025. These programmes have supported Ireland’s smallest regional airports, those that handle fewer than one million passengers per annum and provide scheduled passenger services. Services must facilitate international connectivity either directly or via an international hub airport such as Dublin.
This funding has supported essential safety and security related projects and activities at Ireland West Airport. Since 2021 projects with a sustainability focus have also been supported, encouraging the airport to meet its carbon emission reduction targets.
The Programme for Government commits to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. In delivering on this commitment, a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030 was published by my Department on 25 February.
For the first time, the scope of the new Programme has been broadened to include airports with up to three million annual passengers. Broadening the scope to three million passengers will allow for Ireland West Airport to continue to be supported with operational and capital funding if it grows beyond one million passengers, which it is expected to do during the lifetime of the new Programme.
The Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport under the recent National Development Plan Review will provide almost €45 million in capital investment for regional airports during the lifetime of this new Programme. In addition, current funding will be provided on an annual basis as part of the Estimates process. In total, over €19 million is available for allocation under the Programme this year.
Ireland West Airport, along with Shannon, Kerry and Donegal airports are eligible for funding under this Programme in 2026. Last month I was delighted to approve €2.8million capital funding for 2026 to Ireland West Airport. Additional operational funding will be allocated later this year