Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
355 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the discrepancy in the back to school clothing and footwear allowance payment for person’s who receive family income supplement (details supplied); if she will investigate the problem and seek to have the matter changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28219/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Government has provided €63.7 million for the scheme for 2012.
A person may qualify for payment of BSCFA in respect of a qualified child or children if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment or Health Service Executive payment, or participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels.
Under the conditions of the BSCFA scheme, income assessed from employment includes earnings before tax, excluding PRSI and travelling expenses of up to €20 a week. Income received under family income support (FIS) is disregarded when determining entitlement to BSCFA.
The assessment under FIS differs in that income from earnings is assessed as gross pay minus tax, employees PRSI, Universal Social Charge, contributions to Personal Retirement Savings Accounts, superannuation and public service pension levy where payable. The more generous assessment for FIS makes it possible for more people to qualify for this payment which is designed to preserve the financial incentive to take-up or remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might be marginally better off in employment than on social welfare payments.
I have no plans to revise the income assessment under the BSCFA scheme at this time.
