Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:362. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated first year and full year cost of expanding the back-to-school allowance to children under four. [46601/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 June 2026
Ceisteanna (362)
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 rates of payment for the 2026 scheme are €160 for children aged between 2 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.In Budget 2026, I was pleased to secure funding for 2026 to extend the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance to include children aged 2 and 3, for the first time. It is estimated that an additional 35,000 children aged 2 and 3 will be eligible to receive the payment in 2026, at an estimated cost of €5.6m.
Assuming that a similar number of children aged under 2 years were eligible for the payment, the additional cost would be €5.6m. As the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a once-off payment annually, the first year and full year costs are the same.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.