John Browne T.D. welcomes Government €82 million announcement

In announcing the scheme Éamon Ó Cuív TD, Minister for Social Protection said that approximately 160,000 families are expected to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance over the summer months. This year some €82 million is earmarked to support parents with the costs of school clothing and footwear for their children. The Minister is encouraging parents who may be entitled to the allowance – a payment of €200 or €305 depending on the age of their children - to apply early for the support which is available.

Minister Ó Cuív said: “Although we are many weeks away until the start of the new school year, I am encouraging families who may be eligible for this scheme to apply in good time to ensure they have their payment before the new term starts. €82 million has been made available by Government this year for the scheme - an increase of €59 million on this scheme since 2006. This level of support shows the Government’s ongoing commitment to assist families who are under pressure financially; we know in particular, that the start of a school year can be a very pressurised time on household budgets. Approximately 160,000 families with over 310,000 children will benefit from the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance in 2010.”

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance helps parents to meet the cost of school uniforms and footwear for their children. Parents receive €200 for each eligible child aged between 2 and 11 years and €305 for each eligible child aged between 12 and 22 years. Parents are welcome to apply to their local HSE office for funding under the Scheme from now until the end of September.”

A mobile text service can be used to obtain an application form for the allowance. For an application form text - FORM BTSCFA - to 51909 followed by your name and address. John Browne is encouraging parents to apply early for the allowance as it may take a number of weeks to process applications and issue payments.

A person may qualify for payment of the allowance if they are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement), or a Health Service Executive payment, are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels. The weekly income limit for the allowance for parents with one child is now €563.60 for couples and €410.10 for those parenting alone.

The scheme is administered on behalf of the Department of Social Protection by the Community Welfare Division of the Health Service Executive. Application forms are now available in Health Service Executive Offices and online.