2008. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is considering increasing the household income limits for eligibility to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60960/26]

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.

In order to qualify for Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, an applicant must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions, one of which requires the applicant’s household income to be within the relevant income limits. The income limits for the scheme are increased annually as part of the budget process.

The Weekly Household Income Limits for 2026 are:

* Limit is increased by €78 for each additional child.

The household income includes weekly social protection payments, gross income from employment, minus employee PRSI and a €20 travel allowance and any other income the household may have.

Any income from Working Family Payment, Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, Back to Work Family Dividend, Guardian’s Payments, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Higher Level Education grants is not assessable. Rehabilitative employment (up to €165 per week) is also not assessable.

Any changes to the eligibility criteria or income test for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear would need to be considered in a wider budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.