Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 1

Written Answers. - Family Support Services.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

484 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a cap of ?317 per week is in place for applicants for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance which has not been changed for the past seven years; if she will ensure this is significantly increased in the forthcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21397/02]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards in parallel with the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. It is subject to a means test. Details of the 2002 qualifying income levels, which vary depending on the composition of the household, are shown in the following tabular statement.

The income limits for the allowance are based on social welfare payments plus an additional income disregard of €50. The income limits are automatically raised each year in line with the budgetary increases in the relevant social welfare payments.

In 2002 there was a significant increase in the scheme's income limits when, in addition to the usual budgetary increase in the relevant social welfare payments, the additional income disregard was increased from £5, €6.35, to its current level of €50.

The income limit to which the Deputy refers is part of the special arrangements in place which allow people on employment schemes, such as back to work allowance, to retain their entitlement to secondary benefits including back to school clothing and footwear allowance. These arrangements were introduced to encourage people to take up places on the employment schemes and to remove the anomaly whereby some people lost entitlement to secondary benefits when they took up places on these schemes.

A person participating on an employment scheme may qualify for payment of a back to school clothing and footwear allowance provided his or her weekly income is below a limit of €317.43. Alternatively, if his/her weekly income exceeds this amount, he or she may qualify under the income limits of the back to school clothing and footwear scheme itself.

A review of the back to school clothing and footwear scheme, which is part of my Department's series of programme reviews is nearing completion. 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 to receive the group's report early in the new year at which time consideration can be given to making any changes in the operation of next year's scheme.

2002 income limits for various household sizes under the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance are as follows:

Household size

Income Limit

Couple with 1 child	€314.70 per week
Couple with 2 children	€334.00 per week
Couple with 3 children	€353.30 per week
Couple with 4 children	€372.60 per week

Increased by €19.30 per week for each additional child

Lone Parent with 1 child	€216.40 per week
Lone Parent with 2 children	€238.00 per week
Lone Parent with 3 children	€259.60 per week
Lone Parent with 4 children	€281.20 per week

Increased by €21.60 per week for each additional child

Participants on approved employment schemes may qualify for payment of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance on the basis of having weekly income below €317.43 or the appropriate back to school clothing and footwear scheme as shown above, whichever is more favourable.