John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for back to school allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24453/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) scheme operates from the beginning of June until the end of September each year.

A person may qualify for a BSCFA payment if he or she is in receipt of a social welfare or health service executive payment, is participating in an approved employment scheme or attending a recognised education or training course, and has household income at or below certain specified levels.

The BSCFA section has advised that there is no record of an application from the person concerned.

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 was fully automated with no application form required from customers. Those customers who did not receive an automated payment are required to complete an application form that is available for download from www.welfare.ie or by texting "Form BTSCFA", followed by their name and address to 51909.