Over 5,000 families to benefit from Back-to-School extension

Over 5,000 families in the Shannonside region are to benefit from an extension of the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance Scheme.

For the first time, it will be extended to include two and three-year-olds.

Over 2,300 families will receive the payment in Sligo-Leitrim.

In Longford, 1500 families will receive the payment while Roscommon sees 1,400 recipients.

Payment is made at a rate of 160 euro for under 11s and 285 euro for children aged 12 years and over.

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary says it is part of the Government's plan to tackle child poverty: