4,644 Donegal families to get back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance
‘This support that provides €160 for children aged two to 11 and €285 for children aged 12 and over, will make a tangible and positive difference’
A total of 4,644 families across Donegal are set to receive payments under the 2026 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
Applications opened this week for the scheme, which helped over 144,000 families with back-to-school costs last year.
Welcoming the payments for local families, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, said he was particularly pleased to see the scheme extended to two and three-year-olds for the first time.
“This means preschool and early childhood education costs are now recognised under the scheme, ensuring that younger families get practical support at the time it matters most.
“Getting children ready for school again in September can be an expensive time, especially for larger families. This targeted, once-off support that provides €160 for children aged two to 11 and €285 for children aged 12 and over, will make a tangible and positive difference to 4,644 families here in Donegal,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy commented.
As a result of the extension to include children aged two and three for the first time, it is estimated that approximately 37,000 additional children will qualify for the allowance in 2026.
Students aged between 18-22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2026 to retain an entitlement to payment.
“Thanks to Minister Dara Calleary and Minister Norma Foley for their work in securing the extension of the scheme. I am urging families across Donegal to check their eligibility. The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will provide vital assistance to parents as they budget for the months ahead,” he added.
More than 109,000 families will automatically receive the allowance nationally during the week beginning July 13, with payments being made in respect of almost 202,000 children. Families who do not receive notification of an automatic payment should make an application through MyWelfare.ie, even if they received a payment last year. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, September 30.