Kilkenny families to receive Enhanced Back to School Allowance this week

Over 2,000 families in Kilkenny will receive the Enhanced Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance from today, according to Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan.

Deputy Phelan said Fine Gael Minister Heather Humphreys increased the rates of payment this year by €100 per child to reflect the ongoing cost of living pressures facing families.

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Deputy Phelan said: “This means that €260 will be paid in respect of children aged 4-11 years old. And €385 will be paid in respect of children aged 12 years and over in second level education. Overall, payments totalling over €72 million will be made automatically to over 131,000 families, in respect of over 231,000 children, across the country from today. 

“A notification of the automated payment is sent to customers by post or through their MyWelfare account. The payment from the Department of Social Protection is designed to support eligible families with the cost of school uniforms and footwear ahead of the upcoming school term.

“The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance remains open for applications until September 30th and eligible families are being encouraged to apply. Decisions on these cases will be processed manually and if entitled payment will issue once they are processed.”

Minister Humphreys said: “The Scheme itself is extremely important in terms of easing that financial burden associated with the purchase of uniforms and shoes ahead of the new school term. The payments will be received in people’s bank accounts from today. However, any family that has not yet applied has plenty of time to do so as applications remain open until September 30.”

Deputy Phelan said: “Fine Gael in Government are deeply conscious of the need to continue to support families with the Cost of Living. That’s why last month, we announced an extra €100 per every child in receipt of Child Benefit. The free school books scheme will kick in for primary schools from September.

“And I’m delighted as well to be able to continue the expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme. The continuing expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme to all DEIS primary schools and special schools will mean by the end of this year, 1,000 schools will have access to hot school meal funding. And from 2024, we will start the roll-out of Hot Meals to all remaining primary schools.”