13 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Foster families to be given back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, under plans going to cabinet
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary will seek approval to extend access to the scheme, which is expected to benefit around 2,300 more children in 2025.
The allowance is a once off payment to those eligible families to help with the cost of clothes, uniforms and shoes when school starts in Autumn.
The scheme will be extended to those in receipt of the Foster Care Allowance and is payable for children between four and 17 who are eligible, along with those aged between 18 and 22 who are still in full-time education.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach will look to publish the analysis of the Well-Being in Ireland report for 2025, which will be used to determine certain priorities for the upcoming budget.
The fourth of its kind, the report looks at 35 indicators of well-being across 11 sections of society.
While the report will show progress in areas including income and wealth, connections, community and participation, the report has identified areas where more work needs to be done.
The report highlights that a number of groups in society, including single-parent households, lower income households, and renters paying market rates, are struggling compared to other groups.
Areas where Ireland has performed positively over time included the level of the population who felt lonely, the proportion of domestic homes with A or B energy ratings and net Government worth.
Tánaiste Simon Harris will also update cabinet on preparations for Ireland's presidency of the European Union next year.
As part of the presidency, Ireland will host a summit of the European Political Community, the largest meeting Ireland has ever hosted.
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The summit will involve leaders of 47 States as well as several heads of EU institutions and international organisations.
Plans for a programme of engagement to involve children and young people will be developed including initiatives with schools and community groups across the country to encourage awareness.
Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste are expected to brief cabinet colleagues on the upcoming North-South Ministerial Council which will take place in Armagh on Friday. Trade will be high on the agenda for the council including the recent EU-UK deal.
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon will bring a memo to cabinet on the first interim report on work by the Timber in Construction Steering Group. The report will recommend looking towards a 'Wood First' policy, which would advocate publicly procured buildings to be constructed using materials primarily of timber other bio-based products.
