Irish parents can still avail of almost €300 in back-to-school payments

Parents can expect up to €300 in the bank account this month after applications for the Back-to-school Clothing and Footwear Allowance started last month.

This allowance is a one-time payment to help eligible families cover the costs of their children returning to school. This year, €65.2 million has been allocated to the programme.

Over 118,000 families saw the allowance during the week of July 8, automatically. The rates for 2024 are €160 for children aged 4-11 and €285 for children aged 12 and older who are in secondary school.

This includes dependents aged between 12 and 22 years of age who are returning to a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year applied. 

Most payments are said to be made without the need for a formal application and families will receive confirmation through their MyWelfare account or by mail.

Families who do not get a notification from the Department of Social Protection about a payment are being urged should apply online as soon as possible through MyWelfare.