474. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the additional cost of introducing a double payment for the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance for qualifying children entering transition year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53670/26]

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.  The 2026 scheme is extended to children aged 2 and 3 years.

The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is awarded by age and not by the academic year the child is in.  The breakdown of applications by academic year is not readily available.

In 2025, 144,511 families in respect of 256,052 children benefited from the scheme at a cost of €55.36 million.  Funding of €60.45m has been provided for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme this year.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.