Increase in families getting back-to-school allowance

More families have been automatically paid a back-to-school support payment this year, despite the decline in numbers on the Live Register.

The Department of Social Protection has been given a slightly reduced budget of €38.8m this year for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, on which it spent over €40m last year.

The allowance is worth €100 for primary school pupils and €200 for older students in low-income families to assist with costs.