asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number and percentage of workers in the public service who are in receipt of family income supplement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Family Income Supplement.
13.
There are currently some 5,200 recipients of family income supplement of whom approximately 1,400 or 27 per cent are in the public sector and 73 per cent in the private sector.
In view of the Minister's reply, would he consider the reorganisation of that scheme and would he agree that the scheme has been a complete failure?
We have undertaken a study of the scheme which has been just completed. It is of very considerable value to the people who use it. Supplements can amount to over £40 per week. People receive supplements of £10, £12, £20 and £30 per week and they find it very useful. Concern has been expressed particularly about the number of children included and about the income ceilings. We are examining these matters in the light of the changes that have been made recently in social welfare payments and in the budget. As Deputy Harney mentioned earlier, the exemption does not benefit those on very low incomes. The family income supplement helps those people. In the case of family income supplement and tax exemption which I referred to in my speech this morning, a family on £7,000 a year, with five children, get an increase of £13.70 per week as a result of the exemption.
Their basic income is increased to £146 per week. The social welfare rate is at the same level. People on family income supplement would be entitled to a supplement above that. That is included in the table which I circulated with my speech this morning.
A person on £9,000 ends up with £10 a week less.
That is after PRSI.
Perhaps the Minister would consider linking up with the Revenue Commissioners in that it might be appropriate to have the family income supplement application circulated with the normal PAYE assessment form. My experience has been that the majority of people do not understand that they are entitled to that supplement.
I will certainly consider that.
There is need for a full and informed discussion on the question of the family income supplement. Would the Minister make available to those Deputies who request it a copy of the Blackwell report which he has now to hand so that we could have a full and informed discussion on the family income supplement in the near future.
We will have an opportunity to have a discussion on it during the Social Welfare Bill which will be before the House immediately. I will ensure that the Deputies are fully informed of the contents.
Will copies of the report be made available to Deputies who require them?
I will consider that.
In relation to the Minister's reply that he would consider the use of the Revenue system in regard to application forms for family income supplement, in the last two years or so he has indicated to my questions in relation to this matter that it was not feasible. Is he now indicating that the difficulties in using this system have been overcome?
A considerable improvement is being made all the time in the linking up of the Department of Social Welfare and the Revenue Commissioners in this regard. As the Deputies will know we have been working towards this and while it was not feasible a year or 18 months ago it could well be more feasible at this stage. I will certainly consider the matter again as suggested by the Deputy. In relation to the FIS, I will at least try to make available a summary of the report for the Deputies.
Time is exhausted in respect of Questions for today. We must go on to other business.