6. Mrs Middleton asked the Minister for the Economy to outline any engagement she has had with the Minister for Infrastructure to ensure that the expansion of City of Derry Airport and north-west rail networks are prioritised to bolster regional trade. (AQO 3737/22-27)

I have ongoing engagement with the Minister for Infrastructure on issues relating to the north-west.

I am aware that DFI is considering the strategic vision of the all-island strategic rail review and that its focus is currently on prioritisation and appraisal, with no decisions yet having been taken on the progression of specific projects, including those affecting the north-west.

My Department will, of course, provide support to DFI as necessary to ensure that the economy in the north-west is underpinned by strong transport links.

My Department's aviation policy consultation, which recently closed, set out a number of proposals to support our airports and air connectivity. The responses are being considered. My Department will, of course, continue to work closely with DFI, including on any proposals for airport expansion that are brought forward, given the importance of air connectivity to our local economy.

Thank you, Minister, for your answer. Tourism NI-funded events in the north-west are projected to pull in £21 million for the local economy in 2026-27. Minister, how are you working with the airport and other key stakeholders to ensure that we have the capacity to accommodate the massive tourist influx for some of our most significant events?

I thank the Member for that question. I have ongoing engagement with Tourism NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council. I am delighted that we are able to support those events in the north-west, given the significant value that they will add to the local economy. I am particularly excited about the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween in October. The success of that event, which people from all over the world come to enjoy, shows how well we can do tourism locally and how we can support local events. We will continue to work in partnership with Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland and alongside the council to support anything that is necessary to deliver on forthcoming events this year in order to ensure that they are a success and that we can build on them for the future.

Thank you to the Minister for her commitment to the north-west in particular in addressing regional balance. Minister, how are you supporting the viability of City of Derry Airport?

As the Member will be aware, I previously announced that my Department had assumed responsibility for providing operating funding of up to £3 million per annum for City of Derry Airport until 31 March 2029. That demonstrated my commitment to the long-term future of the airport and to protecting an important element of the north-west's economic infrastructure. The support provides greater certainty for the airport, as it continues to maintain connectivity and support trade, tourism and, of course, inward investment across the north-west. It will also help facilitate the proposed Derry to Dublin public service obligation (PSO) by underpinning the airport's operational sustainability and strengthening its ability to support additional socially and economically important services, including that commuter route from the north-west to Dublin.

Minister, if we are serious about growing aviation and regional connectivity, we need the widest possible pool of talent, including pilots and engineers. Your Department has identified the problem that exists, but what concrete action is it taking with the Irish Government to improve mutual recognition of qualifications and skills across the island?

I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware of the Irelandia report on aviation on the island. I have discussed that with colleagues in the South. I have had ongoing engagements with my counterpart James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, on how we can better join up skills programmes and qualification recognition across the island. On Friday past, I had a meeting about the potential for an all-island apprenticeship. We have seen the accounting technician apprenticeship, which was a really good first step. There are significant opportunities to do things jointly for our mutual benefit where there are skill sets that we need to develop across the island. The Member will also be aware of the work on offshore energy, which, again, has significant potential. To support the development of all those things, we have to make sure that we have skilled people coming through. I will continue to work with my colleagues across the island to make that happen.