asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the income supplement scheme to persons who return to full time education or who are at present in full time education who would otherwise qualify for assistance.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.
91.
The purpose of the family income supplement scheme is to maintain the incentive to work for workers bringing up families on low earnings. The supplement consists of a weekly cash payment of half the difference between a family's gross weekly income and an income level prescribed according to the size of the family subject to a prescribed maximum payment which also varies with the size of the family.
Given the objectives of the scheme and criteria for determining entitlements, FIS could not be considered as a suitable mechanism for providing income support to persons unemployed or otherwise who wish to return to full time education.