MORE than four thousand Donegal families are set to benefit from the 2026 Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, with applications now open for the scheme.
The allowance provides €160 for children aged two to eleven and €285 for children aged 12 and over, with payments to more than 109,000 families nationally due to begin the week of July 13.
This year’s scheme includes a significant expansion, with two and three-year-olds qualifying for the first time, bringing an estimated 37,000 additional children into eligibility nationally.
Donegal Minister of State Charlie McConalogue welcomed the news for local families, saying the extension to younger children was a particularly important step.
“Getting children ready for school again in September can be an expensive time, especially for larger families. This targeted support will make a tangible and positive difference to 4,644 families here in Donegal,” he said.
McConalogue credited Ministers Dara Calleary and Norma Foley for securing the scheme’s extension, and urged all eligible Donegal families to check their entitlement without delay.
Last year the scheme supported over 144,000 families with back-to-school costs. Payments this year will be made in respect of almost 202,000 children nationally.
Students aged between 18 and 22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in autumn 2026 to retain entitlement to payment.
Families who do not receive notification of an automatic payment are advised to apply through MyWelfare.ie – even if they received a payment last year.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday, September 30, 2026.