Independent Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten has confirmed that at its meeting this week the Cabinet approved an increase of 25 per cent for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
The scheme provides a one-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of school clothing and footwear when children start school each autumn. The allowance is payable in July.
The increase will see the 2017 rates of Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA ) increase from €100 to €125 for children aged four to 11, and from €200 to €250 for children aged 12 years and older.
Those who qualify automatically will receive a letter stating when and how their allowance will be paid. This means that they do not have to apply for the payment and will instead be notified of their entitlements. The payment will be made during the week of July 14.
Those families who do not qualify automatically but may be eligible can visit www.welfare.ie to apply as the scheme is now open.
Last year the scheme supported more than 150,000 families and 280,000 children nationwide. The Government has provided €37.4 million for the scheme in 2017.
