Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2011

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Ceisteanna (62)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

61 Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount she spent in 2010 on the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; the amount spent on children aged between two and three years of age; the amount she expects to spend this year on the back to school clothing and footwear allowance and the amount that will be spent on children aged between two and three years of age in 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30228/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but only to provide assistance towards these costs.

The provision for the 2011 scheme is €82m. In light of the number of payments made this year, some 183,000 to date, this figure will be exceeded. The number of children who will benefit under the scheme this year and the costs will be available when all claims are processed.