asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of families who have taken up the family income supplement to date; and the average weekly payments made to these families.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Family Income Supplement
4.
A total of 5,924 awards of supplement were made up to 4 July 1985. The average payment is £6.09 per week.
Will the Minister agree that the numbers quoted in his reply fall far short of the numbers expected to qualify for this benefit when this legislation was introduced?
It has indeed fallen short. A substantial number of persons are entitled to FIS. There has been a similar experience in the UK where a similar scheme was introduced and the take up of the scheme for a variety of reasons has been exceptionally low.
Nonetheless, to date 6,900 have been awarded payments and there were over 10,000 applications.
How many applications are still pending decision?
There are very few applications at the moment being processed. We have been fortunate in that with the relatively small numbers applying and the arrangements for staff we have been able to deal with applications immediately. Up to 4 July 1985, 10,500 applications were received, 5,900 supplements were awarded, 4,000 were rejected and 271 claims had not been pursued. There are only a few hundred in current assessment. With the change in the benefit rates in December we will get another group of applications.
In view of the low uptake of this scheme, would the Minister not consider the suggestion I made here a number of times that application forms be sent out through the Revenue Commissioners to persons who they are aware are on an income level which would render them eligible for the supplement?
The advertising has been quite extensive. I would imagine that of all the schemes we have in the Department of Social Welfare this has received the most by way of publicity. I will consider if we can get in touch with people who would be entitled in that regard. If I can get that kind of arrangement under way I will do it.
Would the Minister agree that the amount of benefit is so low that a number of people do not consider it worth their while to apply?
I do not think so. The payment is a payment for a full year. Once a person is deemed to be eligible and the payment book is issued the book is there for 12 months. Even if the average payment is £6 it is still £6 for a full year period and subject to review at the end of 52 weeks. Therefore, the amount, even if it is small, because it is a payment which continues without review for 52 weeks could not be regarded as exceptionally low.
Will the Minister say that he intends to review the position at the end of this year?
It will be reviewed in the context of the 1985 budget and the provision of moneys for the scheme in 1985. Certainly we will review the scheme.