More qualify for back-to-school funds

About 15,000 families more than expected may get financial help from the State for back-to-school costs this year as parents continue to struggle with uniform and book costs.

The figures from the Department of Social Protection show that after the last 6,300 applications are finalised in the coming weeks, more than 185,000 families will have qualified for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance.

The cost looks likely to exceed the €63.7m budget by over €1.4m, based on the success rate of applications so far and average payments to date of €350 per family.