Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Social Protection

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will reintroduce the specialised footwear grant; if he will place this scheme on a statutory and permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36737/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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When the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme was introduced in 1977, replacing the public assistance scheme, it was proposed that the public assistance footwear scheme would continue within the general context of the SWA scheme. From 1977 to 1990 child clothing and footwear payments were made under the exceptional needs payment (ENP) scheme.

The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme was introduced in 1990, superseding the arrangements put in place in 1977. BSCFA is a non-statutory scheme which provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the extra costs of clothing and footwear when children start school each autumn. BSCFA payments have issued to over 150,000 families in 2016 at a cost of over €39 million.

I have no plans to reintroduce the specialised footwear grant. Under SWA, the Department may make a single ENP to help meet essential, once-off and unforeseen expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. However, it is expected that weekly social welfare payments should cover normal footwear needs.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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