Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1126. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the increase for the qualified child payment has stopped for dependants over 18 years of age; if so, the steps she is taking to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39828/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Increases for a Qualified Child (IQCs) are paid as child-related supplements to most weekly social welfare payments in recognition of the need for greater incomes among benefit-dependent households with dependent children. There have been no changes to the arrangements in relation to children aged 18 to 22.

An IQC is payable in respect of qualified children until age 18 on all schemes where IQCs apply.

Where the dependent child is aged between 18 and 22 and in full-time education an IQC continues to be payable where the customer is in receipt of (i) a long-term payment, (ii) a short-term payment, such as Jobseeker's Benefit or Illness Benefit for 156 days, or (iii) has an accumulation of at least 156 days of relevant payments.

Where a student reaches 18 during the academic year, but the customer is in receipt of a short-term payment and does not satisfy the 156 days requirement, the IQC will continue to be paid in respect of that child up to the 30th June following their 18th birthday or until they complete the full-time day course, whichever is earlier.

Where a student reaches age 22 during an academic year, payment of the IQC is continued for the duration of that academic year, provided he or she remains in full-time education until then.

In Budget 2021, I increased the weekly rates of IQC payment to €38 for a child under 12 and to €45 for a child aged 12 or over.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1127. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children that applied for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and the breakdown of these applications that were approved or rejected. [39840/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 Government has provided €53.5m for the scheme in 2021 which operates from June to September.

The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is being paid. It is also payable to those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.

The majority of customers are awarded BSCFA automatically and these customers are notified of their award. This year, these customers were notified of their award by the 21 June. Customers who have not received notification of an automated award need to apply for the BSCFA before the closing date, 30 September 2021.

The number of customers that applied for the BSCFA in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, and the breakdown of the applications awarded and refused is set out in tabular form below.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.