Fewer families seeking school uniform allowance

Fewer families are seeking Government help with the cost of school uniforms than last year but applications are still arriving at a rate of 900 a day.

The Department of Social Protection has already paid out €38m to more than 145,000 families so far, with an estimated €49m set aside in Minister Joan Burton’s 2013 budget for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

The payment was cut again this year by €50 per child, meaning it is now worth €100 for each child up to the age of 11 and €200 for children up to 18 or in full-time education up to 22 years old.