Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2015
64. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have availed of the back to work dividend scheme since it was introduced; how this compares to the numbers expected; her plans to review the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44649/15]
View answerThe back to work family dividend (BTWFD) was introduced in Budget 2015 when it was estimated that the average weekly number of recipients in that year would be 9,700. By the end of November 2015 there have been just over 10,500 applicants for BTWFD with over 10,000 of those currently in receipt of a payment. Through these payments the dividend is providing support in respect of over 17,000 children.
The back to work family dividend aims to help families to move from a weekly social welfare payment into employment. It gives financial support to people with children who were in receipt of a jobseeker or one-parent family payment and who take up employment, increase their hours of employment or become self-employed.
If a person qualifies for the dividend for their first year in employment they will get a weekly payment equivalent to the increases for qualified children they were being paid on their jobseeker or one-parent family payment. This is up to a maximum of 4 children. Half that weekly amount will be paid for the second year in employment. This means that over the two years, a family with one child will receive additional support of €2,324 to supplement wages. A family with two children will receive €4,649; those with three children will get €6,973, while those with four or more will get €9,298.
My officials are constantly monitoring take up of the scheme and seeking ways to improve awareness of the dividend among jobseekers. My Department has given an undertaking to formally review the operation and effectiveness of the dividend by the end of 2017.
