Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are any additional supports for parents coming into the summer months. [24631/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises the challenges of rising prices. In February, we announced details of a new cost-of-living measures package worth €1.2 billion, which included a €410 million Social Welfare package.

These measures included a once-off lump sum payment of €200 to families in receipt of the Working Family Payment, which was paid last month.

In June, recipients of Child Benefit will receive a €100 lump sum for every child for whom Child Benefit is paid. The payment will be made to 638,000 recipients in respect of 1,203,000 children. The estimated cost of this measure is€122 million in 2023.

Furthermore, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payment has been increased by €100 for the 2023 scheme year, to assist families with the increased cost of returning to school. The rates of payment for the 2023 scheme year are €260 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €385 for children aged 12 and over. This payment will provide additional support to approximately 153,000 families, including those availing of the Temporary Protection Directive. The estimated cost of this measure is €27.3 million.

In addition, since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have introduced significant expansion to the school meals scheme. including hot school meals, which also support parents and children with a daily school meal.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.