The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme is administered on my behalf by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive. The scheme is open to applications from June to the end of September each year. The statistics requested by the Deputy for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 are set out in the following table. Statistics for 2005 are not available as they have yet to be furnished to my Department by the Health Service Executive. However, initial indications are that at least 75,000 families will have received assistance under the scheme this year.
Number of Children and Families in receipt of Back to School, Clothing and Footwear Allowance, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
Child Age 2 and under
|
8,368
|
12,377
|
10,708
|
3
|
8,857
|
14,716
|
11,096
|
4
|
10,161
|
13,709
|
11,745
|
5-11
|
65,408
|
68,347
|
62,212
|
12-17
|
55,365
|
55,475
|
50,568
|
18-22
|
7,652
|
7,499
|
7,080
|
Total Number of Children
|
155,811
|
172,123
|
153,409
|
Total Number of Families
|
71,759
|
75,202
|
70,577
|