Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
154. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families expected to be supported under the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2022; when families can apply for this support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34930/22]
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.
This year, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment has been increased by €100 for the 2022 scheme year, building on the previously announced increase of €10. The rates of payment for the 2022 scheme year are €260 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €385 for children aged 12 and over.
The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is in payment. It is also payable for those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and for whom a qualified child allowance is in payment.
In 2021, 137,168 families in respect of 252,423 children were supported under the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. This year, the income limits for one parent families were increased to bring them in line with the income limits for two parent families, widening the eligibility for that group of customers. The increasing of the income limits is expected to increase the number of families supported by the allowance this year and I expect that in excess of 150,000 families, including those from Ukraine, will benefit from the allowance.
Similar to previous years, the majority of customers have been awarded the allowance automatically and these customers were notified of their award by the 20 June. This year, close to 120,000 families have been approved for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for 212,000 qualified children automatically. These families will receive their payments as outlined in their award notifications this week, week beginning 11 July. The additional €100 payment will issue to these families by the end of July.
Customers who have not received notification of an automated payment will need to apply for Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance online on www.mywelfare.ie. The online application system has been open since 20 June.
The closing date to apply for this year’s Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September 2022.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
