The Government has unveiled an €18m package for back to school expenses.
Thousands of children could benefit from the clothing and footwear allowance scheme.
Families on low incomes are being encouraged to avail of the financial support.
But Minister for Social and Family Affairs Seamus Brennan is concerned by the low uptake of the scheme.
“Last year over 150,000 children benefited from this scheme and I’m concerned that there are tens of thousands of people who are on social welfare or on low incomes who have not applied for this scheme and should,” the Minister said.