Foster Children Now Eligible for Back-to-School Clothing Allowance

• Up to 2,300 children in foster care will benefit from expanded eligibility criteria for the annual payment scheme

Children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid are now eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, following an announcement today by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD.

The extension fulfils a Programme for Government commitment to examine eligibility criteria and provide greater flexibility for foster carers. The allowance provides a once-off, means-tested payment to help families cover the cost of school clothing and footwear.

For 2025, the payment rates are €160 for children aged 4-11 years and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in second-level education. It is estimated that approximately 2,300 children currently receiving Foster Care Allowance will now qualify for this support.

Minister Calleary said:

"Foster carers play an essential role in our care system, and I am committed to supporting them. That's why I am really pleased to announce that children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now be eligible for the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

In the Programme for Government, we said that we would examine the Back-to-School eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers and I am pleased to fulfil this commitment. We expect some 2,300 children in foster care will now be eligible for this important allowance and I encourage foster care families to apply online at MyWelfare."

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD welcomed the extension, stating:

"Foster carers look after around 87 per cent of children in State care and they do so much great work every day. They have campaigned for years for the right to get the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance for the children they care for, and it is fantastic that this now has become a reality.

I want to thank Minister Calleary and his Department for their proactive approach to this and I will work to provide further supports for our invaluable foster carers."

The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme is currently open, with foster care families able to apply online at www.MyWelfare.ie. Students aged 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in autumn 2025 to qualify for the payment.

The Department has established dedicated phone lines at 071-9193318 and 0818-11-11-13 to handle enquiries during business hours (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday). Families can also email queries to bscfa@welfare.ie.

The closing date for applications is 30th September 2025. Further information on eligibility criteria is available at www.gov.ie/bscfa.