Back-to-school allowances to cost €15m this summer

The Government has revealed that it expects to pay almost €15m in back-to-school payments this summer to help parents living on social welfare and health board payments.

Under the scheme, parents get €80 for each child aged between two and 11 years and €120 for each child aged between 12 and 22 years.

Last year, the allowance totalled €12.8m and was paid in respect of more than 143,000 children.

Mary Coughlan, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, urged people who think they may qualify for the scheme to go to their local health centre and apply.