Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
628. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether low to middle-income families that are not in receipt of social welfare payments could qualify for the family income supplement; her plans to increase the income bracket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37735/22]
View answerThe Working Family Payment, previously Family Income Supplement, is an in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees, on low earnings, with children. It is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents and to offer a financial incentive to take-up employment. Eligibility for the payment is not linked to receipt of a social welfare payment but rather a person must be in employment of at least 38 hours per fortnight, and have at least one relevant child, in order to qualify for the payment.
To qualify for the Working Family Payment the average total weekly family income must be below the relevant income threshold for the family's size. The payment is calculated at 60% of the difference between the total family income and the income threshold that applies to the family.
In Budget 2022 I provided for a €10 weekly increase in the Working Family Payment income limits for families of all sizes. The income threshold increases with the number of children. For example, the weekly income threshold for families with one child is €551 and for families with two children it is €652.
Based on current and projected claim volumes, my Department estimates expenditure of €348.6 million on the scheme in 2022.
Any expansion of the scheme could only be considered in a budgetary context.
