Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
934. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to €180 for children aged between four and 11 years and to €325 for children aged over 12 years. [33703/20]
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 autumn. The scheme operates from June to September each year. 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.
In 2019, 143,150 families benefited from the scheme, in respect of 263,400 children, at a cost of €53.5 million. The estimated cost of increasing the 4-11 year rate from €150 to €180 and the over 12 year rate from €275 to €325 is €10 million.
Any increases to the rates of payment for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
