asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly whereby persons on social employment schemes or Teamwork programmes are not eligible for family income supplements; if he intends to take any steps to rectify this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Family Income Supplement.
27.
The family income supplement is designed to lessen the disincentive to work caused by the narrow gap which can arise between low take-home pay and social welfare benefits. It is designed to provide cash support for employees on low earnings with families. In many cases such workers may be only marginally better off than if they were claiming disability or unemployment benefit and the scheme is intended to reduce the extent of that poverty trap.
The social employment scheme and Teamwork programmes are provided for unemployed people and in the case of the social employment scheme, the longterm unemployed in particular. The question of incentives to continue at work does not arise.