Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has encouraged parents to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance which opened this week for online applications. Application forms are available at www.welfare.ie.
“Back to school time each year can place extra pressure on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance helps with the large costs of preparing children for their return to school and it can ease the levels of stress that parents often face at this time by meeting the cost of uniforms and school shoes.”
“I am glad that the allowance will be automatically approved for those families who have previously qualified and meet the criteria again this year. Those low-income families who have automatically qualified will receive a letter outlining how and when their allowance will be paid. Removing the need for these families to reapply will not only reduce unnecessary stress for them, but it will allow for a more streamlined system to deal with new applications.”
“I urge all parents who may be in need of this assistance to apply. The online application form is available at www.welfare.ie and application forms will also be available in your local Social Welfare or Intreo Office. The deadline for applications is the 30th September 2014.”