Donegal Airport is set to receive over €720,000 in capital funding for safety and security measures at Carrickfinn from the Department of Transport.
The allocations will contribute towards capital investment in the areas of safety and security at airports, whilst also supporting projects with a sustainability focus.
Deputy Joe McHugh welcomed the announcement.
He said “I am delighted to see Donegal Airport will receive over €722,169 in funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, Capital Allocations 2022.”
“Donegal Airport is of huge benefit to Donegal and the north-west region and the exceptionally high standards, quality and service carried out there by the team and management is to be always commended, and this funding will help support additional operational costs at Carrickfinn, including necessary security and safety measures,” concluded McHugh.
The Regional Airports Programme takes account of existing policy objectives to help mitigate the impacts of aviation on the environment and to help facilitate the sustainable growth of the sector in line with Ireland’s Action Plan for Aviation Emissions Reduction and the Climate Action Plan 2021.
A significant number of the projects approved today have a sustainability focus.
Amongst these projects are proposals for solar PV farms, the replacement of airport vehicles with Electric Vehicles, the provision of airside and airport staff EV charging facilities and the replacement of airport lighting systems with LEDs and more energy efficient lighting infrastructure.
Donegal, Knock and Kerry Airports were eligible under the Programme in 2021 and have remained eligible in 2022.
Airports eligible for funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 will also be eligible to apply for operational grant-aid, later this year. Almost €22 million in operational support is also available during 2022 to support air traffic control, fire services and security related operations at airports.
As in previous years, invitations to apply for operational aid will issue to eligible airports towards the latter half of the year, with a view to applications being assessed and subsequent approved allocations being paid to airports during December.
