Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal Alan Farrell has said €34.3 million has been paid to date to 115,000 families eligible for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, with 100% of families already in the system having received their payment.
“The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance entitlements of some 115,000 families in respect of 207,000 children were issued mid-July, with no application form required.
“This year the Department received an additional 39,000 applications which are currently being processed from a centralised unit. Text receipts have issued to 93% of applicants who have signed up for SMS updates. A total of 19,000 manual claims have been processed to date.
“The section is currently processing claims received on the 8th July, and it is expected that the majority of eligible families will have their payment within five weeks of applying.
“Each year there is a big demand from families for the back to school payment and I would like to commend Minister Burton for the work she and her Department have put into this process in order to ensure that it is made available as quickly as possible.
“People can access forms at the local social welfare office or via SMS (text “Form BTSCFA” followed by your name and address to 51909). Anyone seeking Community Welfare services in Balbriggan will be pleased to note that the Community Welfare office has been established in the local office on Mill Street, having been moved from 1st July from Gardiner Street which was difficult and expensive to access.
“Information on how to apply is also available on www.welfare.ie. A phone bank is in operation to deal with queries on the scheme, Lo Call 1890 662 244.”