Written answer
Social Welfare Payments
2110. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to providing a double payment under the back to school clothing and footwear allowance for eligible children undertaking the Transition Year Programme, in recognition of the additional costs associated with the programme; and the estimated cost of such a measure. [63915/26]
Comment on this
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 Budget 2026, I was also pleased to secure funding for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme to be extended to include children aged 2 and 3 years for the first time. Funding of €60.4m has been allocated for the scheme in 2026.
The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 2 and 17 in respect of whom a child support payment is being paid, and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a child support payment is being paid.
The allowance is payable at the rate of €160.00 in respect of children aged 2-11, and €285.00 in respect of children aged 12 and over and is a contribution to assist households with the costs of school clothing and footwear.
The rate of payment of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is determined by the child's age and not by child's academic year in school. As such, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of applications in respect of children in transition year and a costing of a double payment to these children.
I have no plans to amend the eligibility criteria or the rates of payment for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear scheme at this time. Any changes to the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme would have cost implications and could only be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.