Bernard J. Durkan
Question:98 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will undertake improvements to the family income supplement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8586/03]
Written Answers - Family Support Services.
Family income supplement, FIS, is designed to provide cash support for employees with families on low earnings and thereby preserve the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were claiming other social welfare payments.
The range of improvements to the family income supplement scheme instituted by this Government, including the assessment of FIS on the basis of net rather than gross income and the progressive increases in the income limits, have made it easier for lower income households to qualify under the scheme.
In this year's budget, I provided for further increases in the FIS income limits with effect from January 2003. These increases raised the weekly income limits by €17 at each point, adding an extra €10.20 to the payments of most existing FIS recipients. The average weekly payment now stands at €60.00 per week, with a total of 12,067 families receiving a supplement under the scheme.
The question of further improvements to the income thresholds is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context, having regard to available resources and Government commitments.