Back To School Allowance Increase Brought Forward To Next Week

Monday, 11 July 2022 11:49

By Caoimhe Harney

The additional €100 will be paid on Monday 18th July.

The increase in the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance will be made from next week, instead of next month, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has announced.

Last week, Minister Humphreys said 151,000 families will benefit from this year's €84 million scheme,

The increased back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance means children aged between four and 11 will secure €260 rather than €160 and children aged over 11 will benefit by €385 rather than €285.

Payments of the regular allowance start today but, payment into bank accounts of the additional €100 has now been brought forward from August to next Monday 18th July.

The school meals programme is also being expanded from September, to include an extra 60,000 children, and charges for school transport will be waived for a year.

People may qualify for the back-to-school allowance if they are in receipt of social welfare payments, in training or in direct provision.

However, qualifying families have to have incomes below certain thresholds.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin is proposing to extend the back-to-school allowance to around half a million "middle income" families and to increase the allowance rate for lower income homes.

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.