The back to school clothing and footwear scheme has been administered by the health boards on behalf of the Department of Social Welfare since I introduced it in 1990. In 1993 over 255,000 children benefited under the scheme at a cost of £10.7 million. The 1994 figures are being compiled at present.
In 1993 serious delays were experienced by clients of the Eastern Health Board in receiving allowances under this scheme. Because of these difficulties the Department asked the health board to examine the operation of the scheme in its area. Following the review measures were put in place by the board to ensure that there would be no delay in the issue of payments to clients for the 1994 scheme.
The scheme runs from the beginning of June to the end of September every year and this suits the families concerned. In practice the majority of payments are made in mid-August. However, applications will be accepted by health boards until the close of the scheme in September.
My Department, in its circular to health boards on the operation of the scheme, requested all boards to ensure that the majority of payments are made by 31 July 1994. The scheme has operated satisfactorily in all health boards this year with families throughout the country receiving their payments in good time to make provision for their children's needs.