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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 10

Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Family Income Supplement.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

110 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on whether it would ease the situation of the many self-employed families who have insufficient income if they could apply for family income supplement.

Self-employed persons whose income falls below the rate of unemployment assistance appropriate to their family circumstances are entitled to claim an unemployment assistance payment based on their means. The rate of unemployment assistance payable is the difference between that rate and the means. In assessing means, account is taken of the net income which the applicant may reasonably expect to receive in the next year. Assessment may be based on income actually received during the year immediately preceding the date of claim, and allowance is made for expenses incurred in earning that income.

Family Income Supplement is available to employees with families who have low earnings. The original purpose of the scheme was to ensure that workers were better off in employment than claiming unemployment benefit.

Extension of the scheme to self-employed families would have major financial implications and would have to be considered in a budgetary context. I am considering what further measures can be taken to provide incentives for people on unemployment payments to get into employment or self-employment opportunities.

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