Parents were today urged to apply for allowances from a €26 million scheme to help ease the burden of paying for school clothing and footwear.
Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan said people on social welfare payments who qualify for the allowance should apply as it can prove a vital support at a time of financial strain.
Over 157,000 students benefited from the support scheme last year. Mr Brennan said: "I am very concerned that tens of thousands of families on social welfare payments who may qualify for the scheme appear not to be applying for the financial support for whatever reason despite all the publicity and promotion the scheme is given.
"I am appealing to people on welfare or low-income employment to carefully examine the scheme conditions. This scheme is there to help those who genuinely need support in getting their children outfitted for the new school year."
A fund of €26 million has been set aside for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance which is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The targeted payment scheme is designed to aid people depending on social welfare or HSE payments, or taking part in approved employment schemes or training courses, with the cost of children's school clothing and footwear.
It is also available to people on low incomes who are receiving Family Income Supplement.
Parents can get €120 for each eligible child aged between two and 11-years and receive €190 for each child aged between 12 and 22-years.
The scheme is also open to people receiving the Orphans' Contributory Pension and the Orphans Non-contributory Allowance. Last year, a Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was paid out for 157,254 children at a cost of €16.7 million.
PA