The family income supplement, FIS, scheme is designed to provide an incentive for low paid workers with families to take up or remain in full-time employment. As provided for in section 200 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993, once the level of a claimant's FIS entitlement is determined, it continues to be payable at that rate for a period of 52 weeks provided that the claimant remains in employment. The only circumstances in which the rate of payment can be amended is where an additional child is born in the course of the 52 weeks.
This provision forms an integral part of the FIS scheme and is included specifically to ensure that claimants can have absolute certainty that they will receive a guaranteed level of income support throughout the period. This certainty is critical to the success of the scheme in providing a real incentive to workers with families to avail of employment opportunities. It is recognised that, as a consequence, there is no provision to adjust the level of FIS payable upwards to compensate for any reduction in income that may occur in the course of the 52 week period. Equally, however, where the earnings of a FIS claimant rise in the course of that period, there is no provision either to reduce the amount of FIS payable.
In the circumstances, I am not of the view that an amendment to the legislation along the lines proposed by the Deputy would be appropriate.