Positive news for Knock airport SDZ development

THE government have taken a significant step towards accelerating the development of the strategic development zone (SDZ) at Knock airport.

It is proposed that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment allocate €200,000 per year for two years to Mayo County Council, enabling the employment of a dedicated project manager and the engagement of external expertise, Deputy Alan Dillon has confirmed. The goal is to develop a roadmap for the SDZ site, addressing stakeholder feedback and expediting progress.

Deputy Dillon expressed his enthusiasm for this positive development, stating: “I’m delighted the Taoiseach and Minister Simon Coveney have supported my proposal for this funding allocation, which will bring us closer to realising the potential of the Knock airport SDZ. By supporting the employment of a dedicated project manager and accessing external expertise, we can ensure effective planning and execution of the roadmap for the site's development.”

The practical governance arrangements for the transfer of funds, expected to commence in early 2024, will be agreed upon by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Mayo County Council. This collaborative effort will be overseen by a steering group comprising IWAK, the Western Development Commission, Mayo County Council, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, alongside the programme manager for the West Regional Enterprise Plan.

Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Deputy Dillon emphasised its alignment with the ongoing feasibility study for an infinity hub and other projects outlined in the Regional Enterprise Plan.

Deputy Dillon stated: “This funding allocation recognises the potential of the Knock airport SDZ and ensures its integration with other regional development plans. By considering the feasibility study and related work, we can create a comprehensive roadmap that maximises the economic benefits for the region.”

This funding arrangement will be strictly limited to a two-year period. It is anticipated that at the end of this period, a roadmap endorsed by relevant stakeholders, including the government, will be in place.

Detailed recommendations, including lead responsibility for advancing the SDZ's development, will also be provided. At that point, the initiative will transition to accessing normal funding mechanisms available for development projects of this nature.

Deputy Dillon, expressing his optimism for the future, stated: “With this proposed funding allocation of €400,000, we are making significant progress towards unlocking the potential of the Knock airport SDZ. I am determined that, with the collaboration of all stakeholders and the implementation of a well-defined roadmap, we will create a thriving hub of economic activity that benefits the entire region.”

Deputy Michael Ring commented: “I am delighted that the proposal for Ireland West Airport Knock is being brought before Cabinet today.

“I have personally raised this important matter on a number of occasions with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as I believe that SDZ has potential to create up to 6,000 jobs and become a key economic driver for the west of Ireland. I am pleased to note that this issue is being prioritised for the benefit of the west region.”

Local Fianna Fáil Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dara Calleary, said: “The airport is a critical piece of enterprise-enabling infrastructure for the region and the strategic development zone designation has the potential to enhance its role significantly as a driver of regional economic development, in the manner envisaged 40 years ago by the late Monsignor Horan, to develop both an airport and jobs.

“I have been working with the management and the board at IWAK and at Mayo County Council on this proposal for some time and I am delighted that we can - for the first time - progress the preparation of a funded development plan for the SDZ.

“The economic development and potential of the lands adjacent to Ireland West Airport is enormous for not just Mayo but for the entire west of Ireland. This funding gives us the opportunity to prepare a plan to develop that potential and to create employment.

“I would like to thank An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Simon Coveney for their full support of this proposal. I would like to pay particular tribute to IWAK CEO Joe Gilmore IWAK chair Arthur French and to the management team and local members of Mayo County Council and officials in my department for their commitment to this.'”

In a statement, Ireland West Airport Knock welcomes the announcement.

It stated: "This collaborative effort will be overseen by a steering group comprising Ireland West Airport, the Western Development Commission, Mayo County Council, IDA Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, alongside the programme manager for the West Regional Enterprise Plan.

"The Strategic Development Zone Scheme, if built out to its full capacity, could deliver 95,025sq.m of commercial, business and enterprise space, 44,000 sq.m of aviation economic development and services, and 11,000 sq.m of hotel accommodation and conference floorspace and has the potential to create up to 6,000 jobs and become a key economic driver for the west of Ireland."

Arthur French, chairman, Ireland West Airport said: "I wish to thank An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD, and Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Dara Calleary TD, for their important backing of the project as well as thanking our local politicians and TD’s and local authority partners for their continued support in progressing the development of the strategic development zone.

"We look forward to working with the steering group in the coming months to deliver on the undoubted potential that the strategic development zone provides, in harnessing the economic potential of the Atlantic Economic Corridor along the northwestern seaboard from Galway to Donegal.

"This commitment by government today will hopefully be the platform from which all key stakeholders will build a cohesive model using the strategic development zone for balanced regional economic development and significant new job creation."