Written answers

Wednesday, 12 July 2017

Department of Social Protection

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme Eligibility

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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416. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason it is necessary for claimants of the back to school clothing and footwear allowance to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment in order to be eligible for this benefit; her views on whether she considers this unfair to other claimants not in receipt of such payments but that are on low incomes and that would qualify under the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33248/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA) scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The allowance is not intended to meet the full cost of school clothing and footwear but to provide assistance to parents towards these costs. The Government has provided €47.4 million for the scheme in 2017 which will operate from June to September.In order to qualify for the allowance claimants must be in receipt of a qualifying payment. There is a broad range of qualifying payments which includes:

- Weekly social welfare payments,

- Approved employment schemes,

- Recognised education or training courses such as Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) or Back To Education Allowance;

- Further Education and Training Courses (formerly Fás), Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme

In-work income supports for low-income working families, including family income supplement and the back to work family dividend are qualifying payments for BSCFA and income under these schemes is not included in the means assessment for BSCFA.

Further information on the BSCFA scheme, including details of qualifying payments, household income limits and a frequently asked questions section are provided on the Departments website: www.welfare.ie/backtoschool.

The Deputy may be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, has recently published a new circular on the measures to be adopted by schools to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs, as part of a range of measures to take greater account of the needs of parents and students in the school system.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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