The family income supplement (FIS) is an in-work income support for employees on low earnings who have families.
To qualify for payment of FIS a person must be engaged in full time paid employment as an employee which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria.
Student Gardaí attend full-time day education at the Garda College as well as periods of on the job training over a period of 72 weeks while studying for their BA degree in advanced policing. They receive a weekly allowance of €184 per week while studying for this degree.
Attendance on a full-time day education course is not considered full-time employment and consequently students cannot qualify for FIS.