Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Code

10:00 am

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 463: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason there is a different means test for single-parent families and two-parent families for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance. [30110/10]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides an annual 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 to take account of the fact that there is an extra adult in the couple household who has to be provided for and the income limit for couples reflects this.

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