Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

While this increase will benefit all children, I want to see additional support being given to those most in need. That is why I have agreed with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to increase the back to school clothing and footwear allowance payments and to replace the existing three rates of child dependant allowance by a new standard rate of €22 per child per week. This is targeted at all families with children who depend on social welfare for support. The total cost of the child related increases will be almost €244 million in a full year.

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