Thousands of Irish families have received an €100 Back to School Allowance this week and there’s still time to apply.
The allowance is part of a temporary change to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. The once-off payment is set to help families cover the costs of their children going back to school amid the cost of living crisis in Ireland.
The rates of payment for each child have been increased this year by €10 to €160 for children aged four to 11 and to €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second-level education. Ukrainian families who have moved to Ireland will also benefit from the scheme.
You may qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance if you are:
Getting a social welfare payment (including Working Family Payment and Back to Work Family Dividend or a Health Service Executive payment, or
Taking part in an approved employment scheme (back-to-work scheme) or
Taking part in a recognised education or training course, or
Getting a Daily Expenses Allowance for a child in education (or for yourself if you are 18–22 and returning to full-time second-level education), or
Involved in an Area Partnership Scheme, or
Attending a FET (formerly Fas) training course
Your child must be aged between 4-17 on 30 September. If they are aged between 18-22, they must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you are applying. Any payments awarded after this week will also include the €100 increase for each child in a single payment awarded to the family.
Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys urged any parents who have not availed of the scheme to check if they're eligible and apply before the September deadline.
The Cavan/Monaghan TD said: "I am pleased that from today, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will be paid to tens of thousands of families across the State. This scheme recognises the pressures families with school going children are under at this time of year, particularly given the Cost of Living challenges that people are facing.
"On top of the increase I secured in the Budget, I also announced an additional €100 payment to help ease the burden facing families. My Department has put the processes in place quickly – ensuring that this additional money will be paid from next Monday.
"I'm pleased too that as a result of changes I introduced in the Budget, the rates of payment will be increased for lone parents. These changes and increases are really important in terms of assisting families with purchasing the likes of school uniforms and other back-to-school related costs.
"My Department will process and issue payments to some 124,000 families this week and I would urge all families to check their eligibility for this important scheme and apply before September 30. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will also be paid to families who are availing of the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukraine on the same eligibility criteria as Irish families.
"I would advise anyone seeking further information on this scheme to contact their local Intreo Centre or visit MyWelfare.ie."
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