SVP welcomes increase in allowances announced today but will seek further improvements

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ireland welcome increase in school and direct provision allowances announced today.

The Society will still seek to have these allowances increased further in Budget 2018, as set out in its pre-budget submission launched yesterday.

Among the 25 ways SVP set out in which short-term action and longer-term investment could help address inequality in Irish society were:

• Restoring the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) to the 2011 level of €200 for children under 12 and €305 for children of 12 and over.
• Increasing the weekly allowance for children and families living in Direct Provision, by €14.20 to €29.80 for children and by €19.64 to €38.74 for adults.

"We welcome the fact that in one of his last acts as Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar announced today that the rate in both of these areas are to be increased this year." said SVP National President Kieran Stafford.

BTSCFA will increase this year from €100 to €125 for children under 12 and from €200 to €250 for children 12 and over. The increase in Direct Provision rates are being increased by €6 a week for a child and €2.50 for an adult.

"While there is still some way to go to reach the levels sought by SVP the increases are moving in the right direction and we hope that Budget 2018 will bring further increases to the levels we have sought." said Mr. Stafford.

Read the full submission