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Dublin Live
12-05-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland: Families urged to apply for lump sum cash boost next month
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Families have been told to apply for a lump sum payment scheme worth €285 if they are not informed that they are automatically eligible. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a payment to help families with the cost of school uniforms and shoes. Many families receive the payment automatically. The current rate of payment is €160 for children aged between four and 11, and €285 for children aged 12-22. Children aged between 18-22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of 2025 in order to qualify. If you are paid automatically, you don't need to apply for the BSCFA and you will get notified on your MyWelfare account or by post before the end of June 2025. If you are not notified by the end of June, you will need to apply for the scheme. The closing date to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September 2025. Here's everything you need to know about being eligible for the scheme. How do I qualify for the BSCFA? You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See a list of qualifying payments and schemes on Your household is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below) You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland. If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your payment. There are some exceptions to this (see 'I don't get a Child Support Payment' below). If you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment but you don't get a Child Support Payment, you can still claim BSCFA if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit), or Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. You must meet the other rules for getting BSCFA. To get the BSCFA, your child must be: Aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply Aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply Your child must be resident in Ireland. How to apply for BSCFA? You don't need to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you get the payment automatically. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will let you know if you are paid automatically using your MyWelfare account, or by post. If you don't hear from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply for BSCFA online, even if you got the BSCFA payment last year. You can find out more information here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Dublin Live
11-05-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland payment warning as one group may not get €285 allowance
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info One group of recipients may no longer receive a popular social welfare payment as they are being urged to reapply. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance applications open in the coming weeks - however, some parents that previously automatically qualified may not this year. In general, if your child is aged between 18-22, you could be asked to provide evidence that they are returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of 2025 - this is one of the criteria for this age group. You will know if this is the case, as the Department of Social Protection (DSP) will let you know if you will be paid automatically using your MyWelfare account, or by post. If you don't hear from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply for BSCFA online, even if you got the BSCFA payment last year. If your child is aged between four and 11 on 30 September, you could qualify for a cash boost of €160, whereas, if your child is aged between 12 and 22, you may receive €285. Applications for the 2025 BSCFA season will open in June. You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See a list of qualifying payments and schemes on Your household is within the BSCFA income limits You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland. If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your payment. There are some exceptions to this. If you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment but you don't get a Child Support Payment, you can still claim BSCFA if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit), or Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. You must meet the other rules for getting BSCFA. To get the BSCFA, your child must be: Aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply Aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply Your child must be resident in Ireland. Foster children do not qualify for the BSCFA. This is because foster parents get a Foster Care Allowance, which includes help with the cost of clothing and footwear for the child. You can find out more about the payment here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Dublin Live
09-05-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland: Closing date confirmed to apply for €285 lump sum payment
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The closing date for applications for a lump sum payment of €285 has been confirmed. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a payment to help families with the cost of school uniforms and shoes. Many families get the BSCFA automatically. If you are paid automatically, you don't need to apply for the BSCFA and you will get notified on your MyWelfare account or by post before the end of June 2025. If you are not notified by the end of June, you will need to apply for the scheme. The closing date to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is 30 September 2025. The current rate of payment is €160 for children aged between four and 11, and €285 for children aged 12-22. Children aged between 18-22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of 2025 in order to qualify. Here's everything you need to know about being eligible for the scheme. How do I qualify for the BSCFA? You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See a list of qualifying payments and schemes on Your household is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below) You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland. If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your payment. There are some exceptions to this (see 'I don't get a Child Support Payment' below). If you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment but you don't get a Child Support Payment, you can still claim BSCFA if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit), or Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. You must meet the other rules for getting BSCFA. To get the BSCFA, your child must be: Aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply Aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply Your child must be resident in Ireland. How to apply for BSCFA? You don't need to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you get the payment automatically. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will let you know if you are paid automatically using your MyWelfare account, or by post. If you don't hear from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply for BSCFA online, even if you got the BSCFA payment last year. You can find out more information here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland seeks ‘alternative markets for goods' due to US tariff uncertainty
THE Irish Government has begun developing a 'detailed action plan for trade diversification' due to the economic uncertainty brought by impending US tariffs. Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed this morning that the government is seeking out alternative options for those Irish traders who will be hit hardest by the new US levies. Last month President Donald Trump confirmed import taxes of 20 per cent would be imposed on all good entering the US from the EU. Those tariffs were due to take effect on April 9, although President Trump issued a 90-day delay to the plan. 'If the last few months have shown us anything, it is that diversification of our markets has never been more important,' Mr Harris said as he addressed the Global Ireland Summit at Dublin Castle this morning. Global Ireland Summit at Dublin Castle this morning (Pic: Outlining the nation's position in terms of global trade and the economy, Mr Harris said 'Ireland's story is one of openness – openness to the world, to trade, to new ideas and partnerships". 'Our prosperity is enhanced by our ability to produce high-quality goods and services and bring them to global markets,' he explained, before confirming that the Irish economy 'performed strongly' in 2024. 'However, the economic backdrop has become increasingly uncertain,' he added. 'The most pressing risks are external in nature and include risks related to increased trade protectionism and weaker than expected demand in our main trading partners,' Mr Harris explained. 'This has been a tumultuous period for those engaged in international trade arising from the actions of the US administration.' Mr Harris further confirmed that despite Ireland's 'remarkably close economic, diplomatic and political links' with the US, they 'see no justification for tariffs imposed by the US administration on its trading partners, including EU exports'. 'The Government's views on this have been consistent throughout,' Mr Harris explained. 'Tariffs are counter-productive; they drive inflation and hurt consumers on all sides. "We want trade issues to be resolved through substantive, calm, measured dialogue with the United States,' he added. 'All sides need to engage in good faith because uncertainty and turmoil is not the way forward.' Outlining Ireland's response to the planned tariffs, Mr Harris said "EU unity is crucial". 'The Irish Government strongly supports the approach being pursued by European Commission President von der Leyen and the Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic," he confirmed. Mr Harris added: 'The Government has begun developing a detailed action plan for trade diversification, which will seek to identify new opportunities and alternative markets for Irish goods, working closely with our embassies and state bodies abroad. 'This will be accompanied by a sustained focus on competitiveness, supporting efforts at EU level, and also driving competitiveness domestically in support of Irish businesses, investment in Ireland, jobs and our continued prosperity.' See More: Ireland, Tariffs, Trade, US
Dublin Live
03-05-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland applications for scheme worth up to €285 to open next month
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A social welfare scheme that assists families with the cost of school uniforms and shoes will open applications next month. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is confirmed to open for applications in June 2025. Many families will receive the BSCFA automatically and do not need to apply for the payment. The current rate of payment is €160 for children aged between four and 11, and €285 for children aged 12-22. Children aged between 18-22 must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school in the autumn of 2025 in order to qualify. If you don't receive the payment automatically, you can apply online to check if you are eligible. There are a number of conditions that you must meet in order to qualify for the scheme. Here's everything you need to know about being eligible for the payment: How do I qualify for the BSCFA? You can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See a list of qualifying payments and schemes on Your household is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below) You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland. If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your payment. There are some exceptions to this (see 'I don't get a Child Support Payment' below). If you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment but you don't get a Child Support Payment, you can still claim BSCFA if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit), or Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. You must meet the other rules for getting BSCFA. To get the BSCFA, your child must be: Aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply Aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply Your child must be resident in Ireland. How to apply for BSCFA? You don't need to apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) if you get the payment automatically. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) will let you know if you are paid automatically using your MyWelfare account, or by post. If you don't hear from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply for BSCFA online, even if you got the BSCFA payment last year. You can find out more information here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
