Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 2

Written Answers. - Family Income Supplement.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

56 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people in work currently receiving family income supplement; the plans, if any, he has for improving the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16792/95]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

The family income supplement scheme is designed to support families who depend on income from low-paid employment whose wages may be less or only marginally more than social welfare entitlements. There are some 11,000 people currently in receipt of this supplement, supporting 31,000 children.

The policy document A Government of Renewal outlines the Government's commitment to working towards a basic income system for children, by providing systematic improvements in child benefit and establishing a child benefit supplement payable to all social welfare recipients, and low and middle income families.

The expert working group on the integration of the tax and social welfare systems is examining the implications of introducing child benefit supplement. The group is now preparing its final report and I expect this to be completed in the next few months. As part of this overall examination of income support for children, the group is also looking at ways of improving FIS with particular reference to unemployment and poverty traps.