Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Africa Studio

Back to school allowance trebled in response to Covid-19 pandemic

The scheme has been extended to include families on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS nearly trebled the investment in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme to over €150 million, citing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, announced today the new funding – significantly larger than the €54 million provided for the scheme last year.

The scheme has also been extended to include parents and guardians on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. There are currently 274,600 people receiving the payment. 

“Returning to school can be a very pressurised time financially for many parents and this year brings the added anxiety created by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Humphreys said.

She said that the scheme takes “into account the increased number of families who continue to depend” on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. 

The scheme provides a one-off payment to over 100,000 families for the cost of school clothing and footwear. 

The allowance for each child aged between four and 11 is €150, while for children aged between 12 and 22 the allowance is €275. 

More information on the scheme can be found here

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
56 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tim Nelligan
    Favourite Tim Nelligan
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 5:52 PM

    It looks so fake, it could be real.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr KnowitAll
    Favourite Mr KnowitAll
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:13 PM

    Tescos in Ennis are doing a roaring trade with these Marty cardboard cutouts.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
    Favourite Wayne O'Fathaigh
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:00 PM

    He was being driven around in a golf buggy it was like the Pope mobile for culchies

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beachmaster
    Favourite Beachmaster
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:00 PM

    He looks high maintenance.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Motherofdivinejebus
    Favourite Motherofdivinejebus
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 7:29 PM

    I heard there was a life size cardboard cut out of Joan Burtons mouth – They are using it as the main gate.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hupthejaysus
    Favourite Hupthejaysus
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:18 PM

    Love the RTE cowboy hat. So stylish

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris
    Favourite Chris
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:21 PM

    Marty is looking great.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Potatoe-man
    Favourite Potatoe-man
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:27 PM

    Betty Boop!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris
    Favourite Chris
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:33 PM

    Frank Sidebottom.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vincent Sharpe
    Favourite Vincent Sharpe
    Report
    Sep 21st 2016, 6:52 PM

    Is it the Toots???

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Can Millet
    Favourite Can Millet
    Report
    Feb 4th 2017, 12:33 PM

    I WANT AN URGENT LOVE SPELL TO GET BACK YOUR EX LOVER BACK BY DR. OGUDU STRONG LOVE SPELL WEBSITE: http://oguduspelltemple.wixsite.com/drogudu

    !!!!!!!This is the most wonderful thing i have ever experienced, And i need to share this great testimony, I just want to say thanks to Dr. Ogudu for taking time to help me cast the spell that brought back my ex husband, my name is CAN MILLET FROM USA, I want to share my testimony and my happiness with you all in this site, last year my husband left me for another woman in his working place and he abandon me and my two (2) kids, everything was so hard for me and the kids because i love him so much, so i saw the testimonies of DR OGUDU, On how he has been helping ladies in getting there husband back so i contacted him and he help me to cast a return spell for my husband and the next day my husband left the other woman and he came back to me pleading for forgiveness with so much love and caring. i will never forget this help that DR OGUDU gave to me and my children. if you are here you need help to get you lover back you cancontact him via email——-OGUDUSPELLTEMPLE@YAHOO.COM// WHATSAPP NUMBER +2348106058254/ /WEBSITE—http://oguduspelltemple.wixsite.com/drogudu

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Sep 22nd 2016, 11:47 AM

    It took Irish TV to make RTE sit up and see how popular it was?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luca Perry
    Favourite Luca Perry
    Report
    Sep 29th 2016, 8:10 AM

    My name is Perry and my father has been suffering from lung cancer and the doctor told us that there is nothing he could do after doing 5 times chemotherapy and radiation and my father was not responding to treatment and not getting better.i was frustrated and confused and seeking advice from people until a friend told me about Dr. Koffi herbal cannabis oil and its fast curing ability of any kind of cancer and told me that her mother ovarian cancer was cured with the cannabis oil. I was desperate to save my father and i contacted Dr. Koffi via email to get the miraculous oil. As i am writing this testimony on this Blog my father is so strong and healthy no more cancer in his cell blood again.my Father has been his self and i am so exicted of his fast recovery and with the help of this oil. What a miracle. My Father is now back alive, strong and health just within 3 weeks. We have gone for test and the doctor said no trance of cancer again.

    You Can Contact Rick Simpson on: Ultimatecancercure@yahoo.com

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Joan
    Favourite Dave Joan
    Report
    Apr 16th 2017, 10:23 AM

    BRING BACK THE GOOD TIMES, THINK ABOUT THE HAPPIEST TIME IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP, DR OGUDU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN AGAIN, YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY, TODAY BRING BACK LOST LOVE INSTANTLY USING HIS EFFECTIVE SPELLS

    Are you looking for ultimate spells that works effectively same time on your problems, ranges from Love spells, marriage spells, and carrier related problems, Gay and lesbian extreme love / attraction spells, women of the night Norton accruing powders and oil for extreme ecstasy and protection with in working ordeals. How to get your ex back permanently? Is this what you are asking yourself? Have you been dumped? Can’t you just move on? Did he/she chose someone else over you? Your lover shows no interest in you anymore? You might have been asking yourself how to get your ex lover back permanently and you have been looking for unanswered questions about it, Well today is the day for your worries to be eliminated for good. Dr Ogudu have assisted me in getting my ex lover back,Are you going through emotional torture contact him now so he can use his birth gift of casting strong love spells and his super natural magical powers that mean no harm but motivated by peace, wellness and love. The fact that you ask how to get your lover back permanently is the reason why you should no longer face sorrow on your own, and that is because you are in a perfect condition to win over your ex lover and make him or her fall in love with you all over again. It is a great pain to be in love with someone who does not show the same affection back to you as you hope for. However, it is never too late to have all that you wish for and deserve in a lover. Love spells by (DR OGUDU) are pure nature of magic, they are inspired by true mystery of the beauty of the planet earth and they will do well for you as well. CONTACT HIM NOW AND BE HAPPY AGAIN”"”"

    EMAIL–[OGUDUSPELLTEMPLE@YAHOO.COM]
    WHATSAPP NUMBER +2348106058254
    Website…http://oguduspelltemple.wixsite.com/drogudu

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Moore Sue
    Favourite Moore Sue
    Report
    Mar 13th 2017, 5:49 AM

    HOW TO GET THE BLANK ATM AND CREDIT CARDS ONLINE WITH THE HELP OF EXPERIENCED HACKERS CALL MOBILE NUMBER——+1(209)265-8144 EMAIL —legendaryhacker24hours@yahoo.com

    One evening, i was reading a blog of how so many people got this blank card online when i was trying to search for a new job, but it didn’t seem clear to me so i ignored. Three days later, i was so surprised to see a comment by my cousin on how he got the blank card worth Millions of Dollars and without hesitation i gave him a call to come over to the house to tell me more about the card and he told me that its a miracle that i needed to per-take. He gave me the email address of the hackers and i contact them for the card and they responded and told me all the procedures and terms of the card which was also what my cousin told me, i agreed and completed their requirement to get the card. Four days later, i heard knock on my door an behold was the courier agent who brought the parcel to my house and today i am $17,Millionaire richer and i thank God to this hackers and to my cousin brother who led me to them. It might sounds odd but you can get yours via

    EMAIL——- legendaryhacker24hours@yahoo.com

    MOBILE NUMBER——+1(209)265-8144

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kalz Rattei Karin Sabine
    Favourite Kalz Rattei Karin Sabine
    Report
    Nov 24th 2016, 3:41 AM

    FINANCE THEIR PROJECTS AND DREAMS
    (queenethloans@gmail.com)

    we give out loan in a low interest rate of 2%
    The decision to embark on a project with 2, is one thing; Find funding to enable them to realize that is another.
    In order to facilitate access to funding and concerns extend its program to strengthen the purchasing power
    of citizens, are a group of individuals meeting within
    a pprivate club and registered said advocates have access to better living conditions. We give credit
    to all people of good character in well-researched and accessible to ordinary people conditions.
    The quality of service of our agency will help you decide the personal loan that suits you offer any:

    * Credit Financing * business loan * Investment funds
    * Debt consolidation loans * The credit line
    * Some mortgages *Acquisition of credit * Personal loans

    You are the sole command and decide how much you are satisfied. Must be accountable for their spending. We take
    care of providing you the amount needed to carry out your projects.
    queeneth loans is a legit and certified loan company, well trusted and reliable money lending company.
    apply today for more informations at ( QUEENETHLOANS@GMAIL.COM )

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds