Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2025
212. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of families and of children, in each county that will benefit from the back-to school clothing and footwear allowance extended to two-and three-year-olds following Budget 2026, in tabular form. [55622/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
As part of Budget 2026, BSCFA was extended to children aged 2 and 3 years. It is estimated that this will support an additional 35,000 children.
BSCFA is a means-tested payment and aims to assist those families most in need. Providing this expansion of the scheme will support families with younger children who most need it during a time of increased costs.
As the scheme operates from June to September each year, it is not yet possible for the Department to provide a breakdown of the number of families and children, in each county, that will benefit from the extension of BSCFA to children aged 2 and 3 years.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
