Back to school allowance

MistyCheese

We received a letter saying that we will be getting this allowance for our four year old. But we've decided to wait til next year - Sept 2018 - to start her in primary school. So do we need to inform the Department so they can withhold or are we eligible even with our four year old still in ECCE? Does anybody know? Tia.

ameee

think the idea is they are supposed to be in full time education as far as I know. did you just receive the letter today? we are supposed to get it automatically but havnt heard anything yet 😕

MistyCheese

When looking this up I do see 'must be in full time education' but only in the older category of children so I think that applies to late teens who may have left education. Like if they are doing a plc then they wont be eligible. I think. Or maybe it does mean 'full time' as opposed to just the three hours of ECCE.

Yes, we got it automatically, we haven't applied for anything and our four year old is our first child.

This is the first year that there's been the option of two years of ECCE so maybe in previous years she would have to have started school by now? I don't know if she has to be in school like primary school or if being in the ECCE scheme counts as being in school. Presumably if she was being home schooled she wouldn't be eligible.

ameee

to be honest I wouldn't worry about it if it was me, if they say your eligible why question it. worst case scenario they ask for it back and dock your welfare payment a few bob over a number of weeks until its recouped

MistyCheese

Just a bit worried they'll decide they've made a mistake after we've bought clothes/shoes and maybe in December take the €125 back right before Christmas or something! I might ring on Monday and just verify that we are in fact entitled to this.

Tinkerbell4484

Once the child is 4 before the 30th September then you are eligible for it,doesn't matter if they are in ecce year or primary school

jimmycrackcorm

ameee wrote:

to be honest I wouldn't worry about it if it was me, if they say your eligible why question it. worst case scenario they ask for it back and dock your welfare payment a few bob over a number of weeks until its recouped

It's simply dishonest to collect it when your child isn't in school.

The department might or might not start an initiative to collect money from cases like this, but at the end of the day, is simply not right to claim it.

Whiplashy

I highly doubt you will be entitled to it with your child in ECCE. Ring them and check so you don't end up having to pay it back.

MistyCheese

I ended up going into them. The reception lady just asked if the child was in playschool and then confirmed we would be entitled to it. Just wanted to update in case anyone else was wondering.

ameee

that's great