€26m for back-to-school allowances

Parents who are worried about meeting back to school clothing and footwear costs are being encouraged to apply for Government funding.

The Minister for Social Affairs, Seamus Brennan, has today approved €26m for an allowance scheme.

Last year over 150,000 people applied for the money, but Minister Brennan said up to 40,000 people who were entitled to the money failed to apply.

Seamus Brennan said families on low incomes with children up to the age of 19 or 20 who are under pressure for clothing or footwear costs can receive between €120 and €190 per child.