Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason that a lone parent is subject to a significantly lower threshold than a married couple for eligibility for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance; and if he will raise the lone parent threshold in order that both categories are assessed on the same basis. [18367/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but only to provide assistance towards these costs.

The income limits for 2010 are €563.60 for a couple with one child and €410.10 for a lone parent with one child. The limit is increased by €29.80 for each additional child.

The rationale for the different income limits for lone parents and couples is that a two adult household needs greater financial resources to meet its needs than a lone parent household.