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Social Welfare Code.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (188)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

245 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the last time the income guidelines were changed for the back to school clothing and footwear scheme; and the plans he has to change the income guidelines. [28185/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the back to school clothing and footwear scheme, an allowance of €80 is payable in respect of qualified children aged two to 11 years while €120 is payable in respect of qualified children aged 12 to 22 years. The income limits for the scheme are increased each year.

The income limits for 2004 are as follows:

Couple with Income Limit

Lone Parent with Income Limit

1 child

348.10

1 child

238.90

2 children

367.40

2 children

260.50

3 children

386.70

3 children

282.10

4 children

406.00*

4 children

303.70**

* Limit is increased by €19.30 for each additional child.

** Limit is increased by €21.60 for each additional child.

Where the prescribed income limits are exceeded in the case of persons participating in approved employment schemes, including the back to work scheme, special arrangements are in place which allow such people to retain entitlement to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance subject to a separate income limit of €317.43 per week. The back to work allowance and family income supplement, in cases where one or both of these are in payment, are now disregarded in the assessment of the €317.43 weekly income limit.

As part of the expenditure review programme in my Department, a working group was established to undertake a review of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme. The report of the working group is being finalised, and when completed I will consider any changes recommended to the scheme. Any further changes in income limits or in the amounts payable under the scheme would be a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.

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