Colm Brophy
Ceist:265. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of extending the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to preschool children. [45956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 7 November 2024
Ceisteanna (265)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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 paid in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 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. To qualify for the allowance the applicant must be in receipt of an increase for a qualified child in respect of the child for whom the allowance is being claimed, the applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying payment and the assessable income for the household must be within a set income limit.
The rates of payment for the 2024 scheme are €160 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.
As at the end of October 2024, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments totaling €56.95m have issued to 149,300 families in respect of 264,000 children.
It is estimated that 34,000 children may be eligible for the payment if eligibility was extended to preschool children. The estimated cost of extending the payment to preschool children is €5.4m.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.