AQW 19971/17-22


Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim


Tabled Date: 07/06/2021
Answered On Date: 02/07/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy what consideration has been given to provide further financial support, in addition to the Travel Agents (Coronavirus) Financial Assistance Scheme 2021, to travel agents as a result of ongoing restrictions on international travel.


Answer:
The Executive Office has responsibility for the provision of support to travel agents. As such, TEO introduced a bespoke scheme for travel agents in March 2021. The Travel Agents Coronavirus Financial Assistance Scheme 2021 provided a grant payment of £10k to travel agency businesses operating from commercial premises, or a £3.5k payment to self-employed travel agents working from home.
Since March 2020, the NI Executive and the UK Government have introduced an unprecedented number of interventions and packages of financial support to help those who have been affected by the consequences of Covid-19. These included the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for businesses employing staff, whilst many self-employed Travel Agents or Tour Operators would have been eligible to claim for lost revenue through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
The Department for the Economy has led in the delivery of business related support, providing more than £513 million of much needed funds to support local businesses from all sectors and occupations throughout Northern Ireland, with the primary aim of helping these businesses to survive the pandemic, and protect as many local jobs as possible.
I am aware that some travel agents, subject to the respective eligibility criteria, have availed of the £10k Small Business Support Scheme, the £25k Retail, Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Scheme, the Micro-business Hardship Fund and more recently, the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme Part B.
The Department of Finance made available further top-up payments of £5,000 and £10,000 for businesses which received grants during the first lockdown. Travel Agencies operating in retail premises also benefitted from 100% rates holiday for 12 months in 2020/21 and this has now been extended for 2021/22.
Those whom are self-employed in the sector and who continue to remain impacted can avail of the national Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS). Details on how to apply for the 5th grant (which covers May to September) will be available by the end of June. The grant will provide 80% of 3 months trading profit (up to a maximum of £7,500) for those who have faced 30% or greater reduction in turnover and 30% of 3 months trading profit (up to a maximum of £2,850) for those businesses facing less than 30% reduction in turnover.
Despite the unprecedented level of financial support that has and is being offered, the Department appreciates that there are some businesses and individuals who continue to be severely negatively impacted. However, it will be for the Executive collectively to determine how any Covid-related funding is allocated as we progress through the roadmap and the lifting of restrictions.