Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
755. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families with children in third year who received the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in the 2025-2026 academic year, in tabular form. [29719/26]
View answer756. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of providing a double back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance payment to all students entering fourth year who received the payment in the previous academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29720/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 755 and 756 together.
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.
In 2025, over 144,000 families in respect of over 256,000 children benefited from the scheme at a cost of €55.36 million. A total of €60.4m has been allocated for the scheme in 2026. In Budget 2026, I was pleased to secure funding for the 2026 BSCFA scheme to be extended to include children aged 2 and 3 years.
The allowance is paid in respect of eligible children between the ages of 2 and 17 on or before 30 September and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 on or before 30 September if returning to full time second level education.
The rates of payment for the scheme in 2026 are €160 for children aged between 2 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is awarded based on the age of the child. No information is sought with regard the academic year of the child if they attend school. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of applications by academic year. Neither is it possible to provide a costing to all students entering 4th year in 2026.
The table below shows the number of qualified children by age in respect of whom BSCFA was made in 2025.
|
Age |
Number of qualified children |
|
4 |
15,606 |
|
5 |
16,240 |
|
6 |
17,258 |
|
7 |
17,731 |
|
8 |
18,073 |
|
9 |
18,089 |
|
10 |
18,879 |
|
11 |
19,033 |
|
12 |
19,062 |
|
13 |
19,652 |
|
14 |
19,400 |
|
15 |
19,519 |
|
16 |
18,138 |
|
17 |
16,671 |
|
18 |
2,470 |
|
19 |
148 |
|
20 |
42 |
|
21 |
24 |
|
22 |
10 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
