Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to detail the cost of restoring by 50% the funds cut to the back to school clothing and footwear allowance introduced since the Government came into office; the cost of fully restoring the cuts outline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36269/14]

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 children start school each autumn. The Government has provided €46.3 million for the scheme in 2014 and provided assistance to over 160,000 families this year.

It is estimated that the cost to restore the 2011 rates for the back to school allowance by 50% based on current eligibility criteria would be approximately €16.5 million and the cost to restore in full the 2011 rates would be approximately €33 million.