Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, or when back to school allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who has high mortgage commitments and whose family is affected by unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18803/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, or when back to school allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who has high mortgage commitments and whose family is affected by unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18802/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 375 together.

The administrative arrangements for the 2011 back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme differ from those that applied in previous years. For this year, the majority of back to school clothing and footwear allowance entitlements were fully automated with no application form required from customers.

As the person in question was not one of the customers who received an automated payment they are required to complete an application form which is available for download from www.welfare.ie or by texting "Form BTSCFA", followed by their name and address to 51909.

The completed application form should be returned to Department of Social Protection, PO Box 131, Letterkenny, Co Donegal where a decision will be made in relation to their entitlement.