Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on the back to school clothing and footwear allowance last September; and if he will provide a breakdown of the number of payments at each of the two rates. [28460/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs when their children start school each autumn.

In 2011, over 196,000 individuals received a back to school clothing and footwear allowance payment in respect of some 384,000 children at a cost of almost €91m. In 2011 the rates of payments were as follows; €200 in respect of children aged 2 to 11 and €305 in respect of children aged 12 to 22. Approximately 60% of payments were made in respect of children under 12 years of age and 40% in respect of children over 12 years of age. ENDS