Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has received final figures on the number of applications received under the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme in 2006; the number of applications accepted; the amount paid out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37613/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme (BSCFA) operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year and is administered on behalf of my Department by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive. Applications for the allowance may be made between the beginning of June and the end of September each year.

While the closing date for applications for BSCFA was 30th September 2006, processing and payment of late applications is ongoing. For that reason, final figures in relation to the numbers of applications received and awarded for 2006 are not yet available from the HSE. Current indications are that about 84,700 families with approximately 164,600 children will benefit from the scheme this year at a cost of €25.4m. This is an increase on the 2005 figures when some 76,166 families with 157,254 children benefited at a cost of €16.7m.

This increase can be mainly attributed to improvements in income disregards introduced this year, and the significant level of publicity given to this scheme in the media and through the information services operated by my Department.

A person may qualify for payment of an allowance if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment (including family income supplement), or Health Service Executive payment, are participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education and training course and have household income at or below certain set levels. In previous years, about 88% of claims where successful.

Budget 2006 provided for a number of improvements to the scheme. These include—

An increase of €40 in BSCFA rates from June 2006

Extension of entitlement to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to recipients of guardian's (formerly orphan's) payments for the first time, and

An increase in the additional income disregard for entitlement to the scheme from €50 to €100 over the relevant social welfare rate.

These improvements in BSCFA are very significant when viewed in the context of clothing and footwear price trends. According to the Consumer Price Index for September 2006, the overall cost of clothing and footwear has fallen by 1.9% over the past twelve months. Since December 2001, clothing and footwear costs have decreased by 14.5%. I consider the back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme to be an important support for parents at a time of particular financial strain. I am satisfied that the improvements to the scheme implemented this year provide a major boost to meeting the financial costs associated with return to school for those who most need assistance.