I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 96 together.
Family income supplement is designed to provide cash support for employees in low-paid employment with children. This preserves 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 improvements to the family income supplement scheme, including the assessment of family income supplement 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. For example, the budget for 2004 raised the weekly income limits by €28 at each point, adding an extra €16.80 to the payments of most FIS recipients. The minimum weekly FIS payment was increased by €7, from €13 to €20. The number of persons in receipt of family income supplement at the end of October 2004 was 14,303, with an average weekly payment of €74.16.
My Department undertakes a number of proactive measures to ensure people are aware of possible entitlement to FIS. These include advising all newly awarded one parent family payment recipients, advising all employers annually in PRSI mailshots and examining entitlement in all awarded back to work allowance cases. Information on FIS is also contained in all child benefit books and can be accessed on the Department's website.
In addition, the scheme has been extensively advertised through local and national media outlets, including newspapers and radio, as well as through poster campaigns and targeted mailshots. Every effort will continue to be made to publicise family income supplement and to increase awareness of social welfare entitlements generally.