Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003

Vol. 570 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.

John McGuinness

Question:

572 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason the back to school allowance was refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if this person is entitled to all of their benefits while on a community employment scheme. [18824/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan):

A person may qualify for payment of a back to school clothing and footwear allowance if he-she is in receipt of a social welfare or health board payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and has household income at or below certain set levels.

People participating in schemes such as community employment retain their entitlement to secondary benefits, including the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, as long as their household income is less than €317.43 per week.

Under the scheme an allowance of €80 is payable in respect of qualified children aged from two to 11 years and an allowance of €150 is payable in respect of qualified children aged from 12 to 22 years.

In the case in question, the payment of the allowance issued on 26 June 2003.