Back-to-School Grant to Bolster Over 126,000 Irish Families The Department of Social Protection has announced that over €126 million will be disbursed this week as part of the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. This grant will provide financial support to over 126,000 families across Ireland to help offset the costs associated with sending children back to school. The allowance, which was increased by €22 in May, aims to alleviate the financial burden for low-income families during the back-to-school period. Each eligible child between the ages of 4 and 18 will receive €160 to cover essential clothing and footwear expenses. To qualify for the grant, families must be receiving certain social welfare payments, such as the Working Family Payment or the One-Parent Family Payment. The grant is paid directly into the bank accounts of eligible recipients, and no application is required. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys welcomed the announcement, stating that the grant provides “much-needed assistance to families at a time of significant financial pressure.” She emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families and ensuring that all children have access to a fair education. The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is just one of a range of measures implemented by the government to alleviate financial hardship for low-income families. Other measures include the Fuel Allowance, the Housing Assistance Payment, and the Medical Card scheme. The provision of this grant demonstrates the government’s recognition of the importance of education and its commitment to supporting families facing financial challenges. The disbursement of the funds will provide much-needed relief to families across Ireland, ensuring that children can return to school with confidence and the necessary resources to succeed.Back-to-School Subsidy Payments CommenceBack-to-School Subsidy Payments Commence Over 126,000 Irish families are set to receive the back-to-school subsidy this week, providing financial support as children prepare to return to the classroom. – ElDiario.ie reports that the subsidy will benefit over 8,790 families in the Northwest. – The Irish Examiner estimates that 20,000 children in Cork will benefit from the payments. – Sound of the North notes that local families in the North will receive payments starting today. – Dublin Live reports that over 118,000 families will receive a minimum payment of 160 euros.Families across Ireland will receive a back-to-school clothing and footwear grant this week. Over 126,000 families will benefit from the scheme, which is funded by the Department of Social Protection and administered by local authorities. The grant is paid to families with children aged between 4 and 18 who are attending school. The amount of the grant varies depending on the number of children in the family. Families with one child will receive €100, families with two children will receive €150, and families with three or more children will receive €200. The grant is paid directly into the bank accounts of families who are eligible. The payment will be made this week, and families should receive the money by the end of the week. The back-to-school clothing and footwear grant is designed to help families with the cost of buying essential items for their children as they return to school in the autumn.