Back to school grant boost to benefit 2,859 Westmeath families

Some 2,859 Westmeath families are among the over 131,000 families who are to receive the enhanced Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance from today.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced that the rates of payment this year are going up by €100 per child to reflect the ongoing cost of living pressures facing families.

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.

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.

Overall, payments totalling over €72 million will be made automatically in respect of over 231,000 children, from today. A notification of the automated payment is sent to customers by post or through their MyWelfare account.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance remains open for applications until September 30 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.

Announcing the payments, Minister Humphreys said the government is deeply conscious of the need to continue to support families with the cost of living.

“That’s why last month, I announced an extra €100 per every child in receipt of Child Benefit," she said, adding that her colleague. Education Minister Norma Foley is spearheading the free school books scheme, which kicks 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 minister continued. adding that the expansion of the 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.”