I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to maintaining connectivity to the North-West by providing an Exchequer funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Dublin and Donegal airports. I recognise the importance of this service to the people of Donegal where last year a record 46,475 passengers were facilitated by this air service including 927 passengers who booked flights through the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Charity.
The rules under which PSOs can be imposed are set out in EU Regulation 1008/2008, which provides the common rules for the operation of air services in the Community. This Regulation requires that a PSO shall be imposed only to the extent necessary to ensure on that route the minimum provision of scheduled air services satisfying fixed standards of continuity, regularity, pricing and minimum capacity.
In relation to the minimum fixed standards of regularity, the PSO was originally imposed on the Donegal-Dublin air service in 1994 to provide twice-daily two way air services. Since 2002, the PSO was modified to specify an early morning flight departing from Donegal and an evening return flight from Dublin, which is relied on by many, including critical care patients. Since then no further modification to the fixed standards of regularity under this PSO, including a timing specification for the second daily rotation, have been sought by stakeholders to my Department.
In relation to the flight schedule under the new contract, my Department had conducted a public procurement process in line with the requirements of Regulation 1008/2008 and the fixed standards of regularity as imposed. While the new contract continues to provide twice daily two-way air services, incorporating an early morning flight departing from Donegal and an evening return flight from Dublin facilitating a same day return service, meeting the minimum requirements of the PSO as imposed, I am fully committed to ensuring that an effective service is provided at times that work for all those availing of it, including critical care patients.
In relation to the reinstatement of the midday service, a significant amount of work is being put into bringing about a resolution to this matter since our meeting with the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Charity on 24 February.
While the department had not conducted an assessment of the impact of the new timetable between Donegal Airport and Dublin on patients travelling for cancer treatment and other essential medical appointments prior to the execution of the contract, Donegal Cancer Flights and Services presented their assessment of the number of patients who relied on the midday service at our meeting where I was informed that 144 of the charity's bookings last year were for this midday service (96 of whom travelled from Donegal on the lunchtime flight and 48 passengers travelling from Dublin on the lunchtime flight). The Group also highlighted the impact of the change in schedule on the islanders who rely on this service and in this respect, the Charity made 10 bookings for islanders who used the service in 2025.
I can assure the Deputy that my department has been actively engaging with the Airline with a view to agreeing terms for the reinstatement of the midday service, including the aircraft overnighting in Donegal Airport, and I am endeavouring to ensure that the process is concluded and publicly announced shortly.
