Thousands face delay in back-to-school aid

TENS of thousands of families may be waiting weeks after their children return to school before getting state help with the cost of uniforms.

As a new survey shows the cost of educating a child from primary through to third level has risen almost 4.5% to €70,000 in the last year, figures from the Health Service Executive (HSE) show that less than half of applications for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance have been finalised to date.

They were released to the Labour Party a week ago, even though the HSE told the Irish Examiner yesterday morning that no details were yet available on the numbers of applications or processed claims.