Government approves additional funding for Mayo County Council to advance Ireland West Airport Knock Strategic Development Zone

The government has today agreed to the allocation of €200,000 in additional funding per year for two years to Mayo County Council to advance the development of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK). The funding will be used to put in place dedicated project management, and subsequent engagement of external expertise, to prepare a detailed roadmap for the development of the SDZ.

Speaking following the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:

“This allocation of government funding to Mayo County Council is an important further step in the development of the Strategic Development Zone at Ireland West Airport Knock. It also reaffirms the government’s commitment to realising the potential of the SDZ, which can make a significant contribution to the economic development of Mayo, the Western region, and Atlantic Economic Corridor.

“The government has prioritised balanced regional development and the Knock SDZ is a big part of that with the potential to significantly drive regional economic development. We have more people living and working in rural Ireland than ever before and we will continue to ensure that people can avail of good job opportunities in the communities in which they want to live.

“I look forward to seeing the roadmap for this project and the recommendations of its Steering Group in due course. Thanks to all involved for their efforts to date and their work to bring real benefits to the region.”

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney commented:

“This is great news and I strongly support this new round of funding. I will be closely following the progress over the next two-years so we can get the absolute most for the West out of the strategic zone.”

Notes

About Ireland West Airport (Knock) Strategic Development Zone

In May 2017 by order of the government (S.I No 266 of 2017) Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) received approval for the designation of lands as an area for the establishment of a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The airport is a critical piece of enterprise enabling infrastructure for the region and the SDZ designation has the potential to significantly enhance the airport’s role as a driver of regional economic development as recognised in the Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework and the West Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024.

The statutory instrument (S.I.) indicates developments which may include:

commercial activities including the development of infrastructure to support aviation including air cargo logistics facilities, aircraft hangars, maintenance and repair facilities, and airline and flight services
the provision of hotel and conference facilities
the development of any commercial or employment activity that, in the opinion of the first local authority having regard to the proper planning and sustainable development of its local authority area, requires to be located within the strategic development zone and cannot be reasonably accommodated at any other location in either the local authority area of the first local authority situated outside of the strategic development zone or the local authority area of any of the other local authorities in the Northern and Western Regional Assembly Area
the provision of supporting transport infrastructure

Mayo County Council drafted the planning scheme for the SDZ which was signed off by the Council in 2019. IWAK advise that the SDZ Scheme, if built out to full capacity could deliver up to 95,025sq.m of Commercial, Business & Enterprise space, 44,000sq.m of Aviation Economic Development & Services, and 11,000sq.m of Hotel Accommodation & Conference floorspace.

It has potential to create up to 6,000 jobs, and the SDZ will further enhance the potential of the Atlantic Economic Corridor in the North West. It will also help to increase its potential to function as a cohesive model for balanced regional economic development.

The preparation of a detailed roadmap for the development of the SDZ will be overseen by a steering group of Mayo County Council, IWAK, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Western Development Commission.