Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
803. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applicants who received for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in 2016 to date; the total number granted or refused the allowance; the total number who have appealed the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26104/16]
View answerThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of school clothing and footwear when children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €38.8 million for the scheme in 2016.
Similar to arrangements in previous years, the majority of BSCFA payments to just over 108,000 families in respect of approximately 193,000 children were fully automated with no application form required. The total amount paid to these families was some €27 million and payment issued the week ending 15 July 2016.
Families who did not receive an automatic payment are required to make an application to my Department. Approximately 52,300 applications have been received of which over 33,600 have been processed and finalised with payments awarded to some 28,800 families.
Some 4,800 applicants have had their application disallowed, because they do not satisfy all of the qualifying conditions of the scheme. Of the total cases disallowed, 715 applicants have requested a review of the decision. Of the reviews carried out to date, the decision was made to award payment in 130 cases and to disallow in 126 cases.
The scheme remains open to applicants until end September 2016.
