Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the issuing of Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments to 5,357 families across Galway this week, with more than €2.15 million being provided to help meet the cost of preparing children for the new school year.

Nationally, over 126,000 families will receive payments worth more than €48.8 million this week, supporting over 233,000 children ahead of the return to school.

This year, the scheme has been expanded for the first time to include children aged two and three, meaning an estimated 37,000 additional children across the country will now qualify for the payment.

Welcoming the payments, Minister Canney said: “Back-to-school costs can place significant pressure on family budgets, so this payment provides important practical support at a time when many households are preparing for the new school year.

“I’m particularly pleased that 5,357 Galway families will benefit from this week’s payments, with more than €2.15 million being invested locally to help with the cost of school clothing and footwear. This support helps ease some of the financial burden on parents and ensures children have what they need as they return to the classroom.

“It is also very welcome that the scheme has been extended this year to include children aged two and three for the first time. That change means even more families will receive support during these important early years.”

The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides a once-off payment of €160 for each eligible child aged 2 to 11 and €285 for each eligible child aged 12 and over who is in second-level education.

Families who believe they may be eligible but have not yet applied are encouraged to do so. The scheme remains open for applications until 30 September 2026, with payments issuing once applications have been processed.