A Longford Councillor is calling for the back to school allowance to be extended to all students.
Uruemu Adejinmi says families are struggling with the cost of living and must be supported to ensure their children get back to education.
In a joint Fianna Fail motion at this month's meeting of Longford County Council local representatives called on the social protection minister to widen the threshold for the payment to include more children.
Councillor Adjinmi explains how they would like to see the allowance paid out.
''Also included in the text of that motion is that families who do not need it can choose not to apply for it. Obviously we can't just assume that some families can cope because people might be struggling. We are calling for it to be made available just like child benefit to every child in Ireland.''
