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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Ceisteanna (446)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

446. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if the parents of children with disabilities and in receipt of a disability payment are excluded from the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37380/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) 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 in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid and eligible children 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. 

To qualify for BSCFA, a person must meet a number of conditions namely: 

- The child must meet the age criteria. 

- The applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and getting an increase in that payment for the qualified child (except in certain circumstances) in the period 1 June to 30 September. 

- The assessable income for the household must be within prescribed limits.

- The applicant and the child (or children) in respect of whom the allowance is claimed must be resident in the State. 

Parents who satisfy all the above conditions will qualify for the BSCFA. 

Parents whose children are in receipt of social protection payments in their own right are not entitled to  an increase in their weekly social protection payment in respect of the children concerned and, accordingly, do not meet the qualifying conditions for the BSCFA payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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