Over 2,300 local families to receive Back to School allowance

Over 2,300 families in Offaly are to receive the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

They are among over 126,000 families nationally to receive the allowance, according to Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys.

The allowance will be paid in respect of 4,279 children in Offaly.

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.

This means that €160 will be paid in respect of children aged 4-11 years old.

And €285 will be paid in respect of children aged 12 years and over in second level education.

Overall, payments totalling over €47.5 million will be made this week to over 126,000 families, in respect of over 223,000 children.  A notification of the automated payment is sent to families by post or through their MyWelfare account.

Commenting on the payments, Minister Humphreys said: “I am delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments for 2024 commence from today.

“This scheme is so important in terms of supporting parents in meeting their back-to-school costs over the coming weeks.

“This week, my Department will issue automatic payments to over 126,000 families in respect of over 223,000 children.”

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.