This will be welcome news to many.
On Friday, July 13, more than 100,000 parents of schoolchildren here in Ireland will receive an annual back-to-school clothing allowance of €125 for children aged four to 11, and €250 for children over 12.
The allowance itself is not increasing, but this marks a significant increase in the overall spending on the grant from €2.1m to €49.5m, as more families will be entitled to the allowance.
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty, has outlined details of the scheme, with is a means-tested payment aimed at helping families with the costs associated with children returning to school in the autumn. Ms Doherty, along with Education Minister Richard Bruton, encouraged parents who have not previously received the payment to check their eligibility.
Speaking at St Declan’s National School, in Ashbourne Co Meath, Ms Doherty said: “The costs associated with children both starting and returning to school can put a lot of financial pressure on families.
“I strongly encourage families to find out more about their eligibility at welfare.ie/backtoschool.”
To qualify for the allowance, the applicant must be in receipt of certain social welfare payments or be taking part in training, employment, or adult education schemes, with total household income below a certain threshold.
The allowance will be paid automatically in the week ending Friday, July 13, to approximately 100,000 customers, in respect of 170,000 school children.
