Vol. 556 No. 2
26 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately one third of the allocation for the back to school allowances has not been claimed by parents in the run-up to the new school term; if she has satisfied herself with the level of publicity given to this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19498/02]
32 Mr. English asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the total number of persons who received benefit under the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; her plans to improve this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19523/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 32 together.
The back to school clothing and footwear scheme is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department. The scheme assists certain recipients of social welfare and health board payments with the cost of children's school clothing and footwear. Participants in approved employment schemes, such as community employment and the back to work allowance, and recognised education and training courses, such as the back to education allowance and VTOS, can also qualify.
I am happy to report that the full allocation of €15 million has been taken up this year. A sum of €15.1 million has been spent so far. While the closing date for applications was 30 September 2002, processing and payment of late applications is ongoing and I expect that expenditure on this year's scheme will be in the region of €15.5 million.
I am satisfied with the level of publicity given to this scheme. For example, I issued a press release on 19 August 2002 reminding parents that there were only six weeks left at that time to apply for the allowance. That received widespread publicity in the media.
Current indications are that about 74,000 families with approximately 166,000 children will benefit from the scheme this year. This is an increase compared to 2001, when some 64,000 families with approximately 143,000 children benefited.
A working group is in the process of finalising a review of the back to school clothing and footwear scheme as part of my Department's series of programme evaluation studies. The review examined all aspects of the scheme, including the rates of payment as well the income limits, the means test, time of payment, the eligibility criteria and other issues. I expect the group's report to be finalised early in the new year, at which time consideration can be given to making changes in the operation of next year's scheme.
Question No. 27 answered with Question No. 19.
