AQW 20060/17-22 Written question to the First Minister and deputy First Minister
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister when payments under the Travel Agents (Coronavirus) Financial Assistance Scheme will be made.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 8 June 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Priority
- Tabled
- 8 June 2021
- Answer due by
- 16 June 2021
- Answered
- 1 July 202123 days after tabling
- Department
- The Executive Office
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
The Travel Agents Financial Assistance Scheme was agreed by the Executive to ensure the continued viability of the travel agency sector here.
The Scheme was open for application from the 19th to the 26th March 2021. Officials within TEO are currently processing 187 applications. It is anticipated that payments will be made to successful applicants in early summer.
The Scheme will provide a one-off payment of £10,000 for travel agents operating from commercial premises here and a one-off payment of £3,500 for self-employed travel agents working from home.
It is expected that the Scheme will provide in the region of £1.1 to £1.3 million of much needed support for this sector.
Final costs will be known once all applications have been processed.