Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. Travel agents are required to close under level 4 or level 5 restrictions, so they were covered by the Covid restrictions support scheme from midnight last night. Whether they are covered under level 3 is a matter for debate, but that no longer matters as we are now under level 5. As such, travel agents are covered. They will now receive the weekly Covid restrictions support scheme payment because they were required to close their premises under level 4 and level 5 restrictions.

I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the scheme is to open for applications this week. However, the first cash payments will not be received until the middle of November. They will be paid on a weekly basis from then on, but some administrative work is required from the Revenue Commissioners first. However, the payments will be backdated.

See this speech in context