Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. I do not mind at all. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off annual payment to eligible families to assist with the cost of clothing and footwear when children start or start back at school each autumn.

Last year, the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance payments totalled €57.04 million. This was paid to more than 149,500 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children. The majority of families are awarded the allowance automatically. A notification of the awards is issued to these families. In 2025, 114,000 families have been automatically approved for the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, in respect of 197,000 qualified children. Payments will begin to be made in the week commencing 14 July. I encourage anybody who has not heard or got a notification to go to MyWelfare.ie and to register their interest or concern.

Matters relating to devices in schools is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee. She is keenly aware of the challenges faced by parents and educators relating to the costs of digital technology, including tablets. Her Department is continuing to work to help support schools and families with these costs. The Minister recently announced a €35 million investment in schools for ICT infrastructure. This funding is issued directly to schools, as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort to meet those requirements in accordance with their digital learning planning. This can include the purchase of ICT devices, such as tablets or laptops and the implementation of loan schemes for same if needed. At this time, I have no plans to change the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to include a specific device payment.

I welcome the Deputy's expression of welcome for the expansion of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to foster families. It is means tested. However, the means test will exclude the weekly payment of €400 that is paid as the foster allowance. We are currently reviewing every means test. Means tests are important to ensure that supports go to those most in need of them income-wise. I wish to re-emphasise that the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance means test will exclude the €400 or €420 per week payment to foster families.

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