The Department of Social Protection announced a €100 increase per child in the allowance to reflect the ongoing financial pressures facing families. 

Children aged between four and 11 will receive €260 while those aged 12 years and over will receive €385. 

The allowance will be paid towards 231,000 children going back to school in September. 

Over €72 million will be paid to 131,000 families on the Clothes and Footwear Allowance.

Minister of Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the allowance is important to ease the “financial burden associated with the purchase of uniforms”. 

“As a Government, we are deeply conscious of the need to continue to support families with the cost of living,” she said. 

A group of school children in school uniforms. Image: NorthScape / Alamy Stock Photo

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance remains open for applications until September 30th. Students aged between 18 and 22 in second-level education also are eligible to apply. 

Ms Humphreys also announced the continued expansion of the Hot School Meals Programme to all DEIS primary schools by the end of year. 

She said the Government plans to expand hot meals to all primary schools across the country in 2024. 

The Department of Education has also introduced a free school book scheme in primary schools from September.