Over 4,000 Wexford children are set to benefit from the Back to School Allowance, after the Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty, announced the 2018-’19 round of funding under the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which will benefit 170,000 children.
“The Department of Social Protection estimates approximately 4,259 children in Wexford will benefit from the new round of funding, which will be paid the week ending Friday, July 13th,” said Fine Gael North Wexford-based Minister Michael D’Arcy.

Minister D’Arcy added; “We all know the costs associated with going back to school in the autumn. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is a means-tested once-off payment aimed at helping families with these costs to alleviate pressures at back to school time.”
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is available to primary and secondary school students and is paid at a rate of €125 for children aged 4-11 years and €250 for children aged 12 years and over.
Minister D’Arcy explained; “In order to qualify for the Allowance, the applicant must be in receipt of certain social welfare payments or be taking part in training, employment or adult education schemes, with total household income below a certain threshold.
“The vast majority of families who received this payment last year will receive it again this year without having to re-apply. Only those who do not receive notification of an automated payment by early July, or those who want to make a first time application, will need to apply.”
Check out eligibility at www.welfare.ie/backtoschool.