Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
642. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if children over the age of 16 years who are in receipt of a disability allowance payment and still attending second level education, are entitled to a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance; if they will also benefit from the waiving of school bus fares for the 2022/2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37799/22]
View answerThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 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 scheme operates from June to September each year.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
To qualify for the allowance a person must meet a number of conditions namely:
* The child must meet the age criteria.
* The applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and getting an increase in that payment for the qualified child (except in certain circumstances) in the period 1 June to 30 September.
* The assessable income for the household must be within prescribed limits.
* The applicant and the child (or children) in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State.
Children who are in receipt of social protection payments in their own right, for example Disability Allowance, will not qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment.
Applications which fall outside the normal rules of the scheme may be considered for an additional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme by the Community Welfare Service.
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an additional needs payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service. There is a National CWS Contact Centre in place – 0818-607080 – which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
The Minister for Education has announced the School Transport Scheme will be free of charge for all ticket holders for the academic year 2022/2023. Any questions in relation to the operation of the scheme should be directed to that Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
