Vol. 501 No. 3
296 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when priority will be given to the family income supplement system as a means of increasing the net return from work to families with children; and when the family income supplement will be reformed to be calculated on a net income basis rather than on gross wages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6002/99]
The family income supplement scheme is designed to provide employees with families and on low incomes with an incentive to take up, or to remain in, low-paid employment. In order to enhance the value of the scheme and increase the return from work, and in accordance with a commitment given in the Partnership 2000 agreement, I gave priority attention to reforming the scheme on coming into office. Accordingly, the 1998 budget provided for the reform of the scheme so that entitlement is now calculated on a net income basis, rather than on gross income, as was previously the case. This measure was introduced with effect from 1 October 1998.
This change has already had a positive effect on the number of families qualifying for the supplement. There are now almost 14,000 FIS recipients, the highest number recorded since the scheme was first introduced in 1984.
In addition, the income thresholds were increased by £7 per week with effect from June 1998. The 1999 budget includes provision for a further increase in the income thresholds of £8 per week. with effect from June 1999.
297 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will introduce a simplified provision whereby widows could switch to one-parent family allowance in order to avail of community employment and switch back to their widow's pension at the end of that period without having any fresh assessment of their contribution record for eligibility; and his policy on opening up opportunities to participate in active labour market measures for widows on a similar basis to one-parent families. [6145/99]
The eligibility conditions for community employment are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. At present those eligible for the scheme include recipients of unemployment payments, one-parent family payment and people referred by the National Rehabilitation Board.
298 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will examine the anomaly whereby a person on disability allowance can qualify for a companion pass on medical grounds but much more stringent tests of being blind or wheelchair bound apply to a person on invalidity pension; and if he will remove this anomaly. [6146/99]
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years, or over, and to all carers in receipt of carer's allowance. From April 1999, the scheme will be available to carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relatives allowance. It is also available to people in receipt of disability allowance, invalidity pension, blind person's pension and other people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The scheme provides free travel, primarily at off-peak periods, to eligible people on the main public and private transport services. At the end of December 1998, over 530,000 free travel passes had been issued at an annual cost of over £32.6 million.
The free travel companion pass is available to certain people who are medically assessed as unfit to travel alone. This enables a person, 16 years of age or over, to accompany the pass holder free of charge.
