Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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573. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number in receipt of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2024, disaggregated by rate of payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33918/25]

Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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574. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total administrative costs of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33919/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 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 scheme operates from June to September each year.

The allowance is payable in respect of eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) is being paid and eligible children between the ages of 18 and 22 who are returning to full-time second level education and in respect of whom a Child Support payment is being paid.

The rates of payment for the 2024 scheme were €160 for children aged between 4 and 11 years and €285 for children aged 12 and over.

Back to School Clothing and Footwear payments totalling €57.04 million were made to 149,510 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children in 2024.

The breakdown of payments issued is set out in tabular form below.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.