Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020
212. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if employees at a company (details supplied) who were delayed in applying for the short-time work support can apply for the back to school grant in view that the application deadline date has passed and the applications are still being processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30373/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each August/September. The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is being paid. It is also payable to those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
The allowance paid for each eligible child aged from 4 to 11 years on or before 30 September 2020 is €150 while an allowance of €275 is paid for each eligible child aged over 12 on or before 30 September 2020. The scheme operates from June to September each year.
This year, the eligibility criteria for back to school clothing and footwear allowance was extended to include the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment as a qualifying payment for the allowance. Recipients of this payment were also required to satisfy all the other qualifying conditions in order to qualify.
The back to school clothing and footwear allowance opened to new applications on 6 July 2020 and closed on 30 September in connection with the return to school. There is no change to the closing date.
Applications which are outside the terms of the back to school clothing and allowance scheme will not qualify for payment under the scheme. However, individuals who are refused a back to school clothing and footwear payment may be considered for exceptional needs payments (ENP) under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme by the officers administering this scheme in the normal way.
Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to an exceptional needs payment should contact the Department’s Community Welfare Service.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
