Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
175. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if an evaluation has been made with respect to those 3,000-plus employed in the travel agent sector which has been effectively shut down since March 2020; if a specific evaluation has been conducted; if not, if he will arrange to have one conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22062/20]
View answer176. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding travel centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22064/20]
View answer187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to put targeted business supports in place for travel agents which have been severely impacted by the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22466/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 176 and 187 together.
I am aware of the serious difficulties arising for Irish licensed travel agents and tour operators in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic collapse of overseas travel and tourism.
The sector continues to benefit from a range of State supports made available for SMEs - including wage subsidies - and the State is also providing a special financial guarantee under a Refund Credit Note scheme for the sector, which makes the credit notes that licensed travel agent and tour operators issue to their customers a very secure proposition. Credits notes to the value of €17m have already been issued to consumers under the scheme – under which their value and validity is guaranteed by the State - and this is money that the industry would otherwise have had to pay back in cash refunds.
I know that businesses in the sector are looking for more, and the Irish Travel Agents Association has made representations on behalf of its members for additional financial supports in the form of top-ups to business support schemes announced in the July Stimulus. These are being considered.
