Back-to-school grants for 13k fewer families

Around 13,000 fewer families than last year have been paid a grant to help with back-to-school costs.

The Department of Social Protection has so far paid just over €47m to 174,000 families under the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, with the scheme formally closing at the end of September.

However, although some late claims are still being processed, the figure is around 7% down on the 187,000-plus households to which the payment was made in 2012.