Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2017
691. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend the criteria for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in order to allow low-income families that do not claim a social welfare payment to avail of the scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39189/17]
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 clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The Government has provided €47.4 million for the scheme in 2017 which operates from June to September.
In order to qualify for the allowance claimants must be in receipt of a qualifying payment. There is a broad range of qualifying payments which include:
- Weekly social welfare payments,
- Approved employment schemes,
- Recognised education or training courses such as Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) or Back To Education Allowance
- Further Education and Training Courses (formerly Fás), Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme
In-work income supports for low-income working families, including family income supplement and the back to work family dividend are qualifying payments for BSCFA and income under these schemes is not included in the means assessment for BSCFA.
There are no current plans to amend the eligibility criteria for BSCFA. Any changes to the scheme would have to be considered in a budgetary context and within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.
I would suggest that the family referred to by the Deputy should contact the Department to ensure that it is in receipt of all possible social welfare schemes to which it may have an entitlement.
