Government refreshed the Back to School allowance

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme has been refreshed by the government by increasing the amount to €150 million considering the Covid-19 pandemic.

Heather Humphreys, minister for Social Protection, publicized the new scheme, which is expressively larger than the previous year funding, which was around €54 million.

The new scheme is open for parents and guardians, by including them under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. Around 274,600 people are receiving the payment at present.

“Returning to school can be a very pressurized time financially for many parents and this year brings the added anxiety created by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Humphreys said.

Around 100,000 families are now getting a one-off payment for the price of school clothing and shoes.

Children in between age group four and 11 will get an allowance of €150 and an allowance of €275 to those who are in between 12 and 22.