Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments from today - Mayo minister announces

THE Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has announced that over 126,000 families will receive the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance from today.

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.

The rates of payment are €160 for children aged 4 to 11, and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second level education.

Overall, payments totalling more than €47.5 million will be made this week to over 126,000 families, in respect of over 221,000 children. A notification of the automated payment is sent to families by post or through their MyWelfare account.

Commenting on the payments, Minister Calleary said: “I am delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments for 2025 commence from today.

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

The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is also 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.

Minister Calleary added: “The costs associated with children both starting and returning to school can put a lot of financial pressure on families throughout the country.

“The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides valuable support to families to assist with these costs and I would urge anybody who has not yet applied to check their eligibility for the scheme.”