Written answers

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the emergency refund credit note will be extended for July, August and September 2020, in view of advice to avoid all non-essential travel and in further view of the fact that the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group for the National Public Health Emergency Team has supported the advice not to travel and has urged the public to avoid all non-essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16487/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is currently no end date for the Refund Credit Note scheme. It will be in place for so long as necessary, having regard to Government policy on international travel and public health.As the Deputy is aware, the Refund Credit Notes can be offered in circumstances where a booking - made through a travel agent or tour oeprator - has been cancelled by the traveller or by the organiser due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and public health advice. Further information is available at: .

Photo of Michael LowryMichael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if financial supports will be issued to licensed travel agents and tour operators whose customers have cancelled flights and holiday bookings for the months of July and August 2020; if he will take into account that these customers have cancelled bookings on the advice to avoid all non-essential travel; if he will also take into account that the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group for the National Public Health Emergency Team has supported the advice not to travel and has publicly encouraged the public to avoid all non-essential travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16501/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raises an important issue for Irish licensed travel agents and tour operators, many of which are small, local high street businesses. Under the EU Package Travel Directive, travel agents and tour operators are required to provide their customers with a full cash refund when a holiday is cancelled due to exceptional circumstances, which of course Covid is. However, the travel agents and tour operators are having difficulties securing refunds themselves from their suppliers to pass onto their customers, and indeed where flights take place - irrespective whether a travel agent's customer has cancelled - the airlines are not obligated to provide a refund. I know this is causing considerable financial strain in the sector.

The State is providing financial backing for a Refund Credit Note scheme, under which travel agents and tour operators can issue credit notes to their customers instead of cash - if the customer agrees - and the financial value of that credit note is guaranteed by the State. This is a measure designed to give assurance to consumers about the safety of accepting a credit note, and help the industry alleviate the cash flow drain it is experiencing. The challenge is to ensure that consumer rights are protected and at the same time that viable business and their workers are kept going. Further, the sector may avail of the Government wage support scheme and business supports particularly those aimed at small and medium enterprises. My Department is maintaining an open engagement with the travel trade industry and Minister Naughton is due to meet with representatives of the Irish Travel Agents Association to discuss ongoing issues.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.