More than 126,000 families across Ireland will receive the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance this week, with the scheme expanded for the first time to include children aged two and three.

The payments announced by Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary, will see more than €48.8 million distributed in respect of almost 233,000 children to help families meet the cost of clothing and footwear ahead of the new school year.

Parents and guardians will receive €160 for each eligible child aged between two and 11, while a higher payment of €285 will be paid for children aged 12 and over who are attending second-level education.

Applications for the scheme remain open until September 30.

The extension of the allowance means two and three-year-olds will now qualify for support for the first time, the Government says it will help thousands of more families with the rising cost of preparing children for preschool and school.

Around 37,000 additional children are expected to benefit under the expanded scheme.

Announcing the payments, Mr. Calleary said the cost of preparing children for school or preschool can place significant pressure on household finances.

‘I know that the costs for going back to school or preschool can place real pressure on families,’ he said.

He added that extending the scheme to younger children would provide ‘practical support at a time when it matters most’ and encourage eligible families who do not receive an automatic payment to apply before the September deadline.

Most eligible recipients receive the payment automatically without needing to submit an application, with notifications issued through MyWelfare accounts or by post.

Families who do not receive an automatic payment can still apply online if they meet the qualifying conditions and income limits.