2023 Public Consultation to inform a Mid-term Review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 & Future Policy Supports to Regional Airports

The Regional Airports Programme 2021 to 2025 was published by the Department on 4 February 2021.

In addition to supporting Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Donegal and Dublin, this Programme supports Ireland’s smallest airports, those that operate scheduled services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers (on average over the preceding two years). While the Programme targets funding at safety and security related projects and activities, this Programme also supports projects with a sustainability focus, encouraging airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience.

The Programme commits to carrying out a mid-term review of operational supports in mid-2023.

The purpose of this consultation is to inform that mid-term review. It is also envisaged that submissions received as part of the consultation process will contribute to the development of policy on future appropriate and cost-effective support measures for Ireland’s regional airports, including the development of future programmes.

The mid-term review will also consider how the Programme is currently delivering on its objectives, primarily in the context of how international connectivity and services, to and from the regions can be maintained and enhanced, whilst also exploring how balanced regional development is being supported.

Goals for review

Consideration will be given to how the Programme is performing in terms of:

• Ensuring effectiveness and value for money

• Maintaining and enhancing regional connectivity

• Supporting balanced regional economic growth & development

• Supporting direct access into the regions

• Supporting the decarbonisation of regional airports

• Supporting climate adaption and resilience of regional airports

• Transitioning Ireland’s regional airports towards a financially sustainable model

• Delivery and engagement

The consultation period will be open until 16 June 2023. Stakeholders and interested parties will now have the opportunity to respond to the issues raised in the 2023 Public Consultation paper as well as put forward any other relevant issues for consideration.

The Department asks that all submissions be completed online with reference to the questions outlined in the link provided in Appendix 2 of the 2023 Public Consultation Paper (link also provided below). However, should an online submission not be feasible, submissions following the format of the Questionnaire provided under Appendix 2 are welcomed via email to airportsdivision@transport.gov.ie

The closing date for receipt of submissions is 16 June at 6pm.

Link to Questionnaire

Terms and Conditions

Respondents are advised that the Department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007- 2014, and Data Protection legislation.

What we will do with your response

Responses received will inform the Mid-term Review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. Responses may also contribute to the development of policy on future appropriate and cost-effective support measures for Ireland’s regional airports, including the development of future programmes. Please note that, in the interests of transparency, submissions received may:

• be made available on the Government’s website, www.gov.ie;

• be included as an appendix to the Mid-term Review of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, which may also be made available on the Government’s website.

In any event, all submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection legislation.

Privacy information

• This is a public consultation, and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) legislation apply.

• To ensure privacy, any personal information you give this department will be protected under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/67 and the Data Protection Act 2018.

• You can read the Department’s privacy statement here.

• As set out above, the Department may publish the contents of submissions received on the Government’s website. In such an event occurring, we will redact personal data prior to publication. Given this, in responding to this consultation, parties should clearly indicate where their responses contain personal information, commercially sensitive information, or confidential information, which they would not wish to be released under FOI, AIE or otherwise published.

• Submissions will be kept until the review process and the implementation of any accepted recommendations has been finalised.

• You can view the Department’s Data Protection page which outlines how and when the Department collects personal data, why it is collected and how the information is treated. It also explains your rights in relation to the collection of personal information and how you can exercise those rights.