LEDDIN WELCOMES BACK TO SCHOOL ALLOWANCE CHANGES

                             STATEMENT BY COUNCILLOR DECLAN LEDDIN

01/06/2011

Labour councillor Declan Leddin has welcomed the increase in funding for this year’s Back to School Allowance. The minister has allocated over 82 million euros for the scheme this year in an effort to further help parents who are struggling to meet the cost of clothing and footwear.

The allowance will reply in respect of children aged 2 to 17 and 18 to 22 who are in full time education. €200 will be paid in respect of children aged 2 to 11 on the 30^th of September 2011 and €305 in respect of children aged 12 to 22 on the 30^th of September 2011.

The administrative arrangements for this year’s scheme have been changed from those of previous years. The majority of parents who are entitled to the allowance will receive the payment automatically and will receive a letter from the Department of social protection in June outlining how and when the payment will be made. This will apply to over 80% of eligible parents.

Parents who are eligible but do not receive a letter will be required to submit an application form. These forms will be available from the Department from the 30^th of June.

The month of September is a tough one for many parents and household budgets are pressurised with the beginning of the school year. Payments such as this one must be protected and I welcome again the increase in the budget allocation for this year said councillor Leddin.

Any parents who are having difficulty or who experience problems with the process can contact me for assistance in relation to the above. Ends  085 1620733.

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