Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will give favourable consideration to increasing family income supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28458/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 10 November 2004
Ceisteanna (152)
Freagraí scríofa
Family income supplement, FIS, is designed to provide cash support for employees on low earnings with families and thereby preserve 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 range of improvements to the family income supplement scheme instituted in recent years, including the assessment of FIS 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.
Budget 2004 provided for further increases in the FIS income limits with effect from January 2004. These increases raised the weekly income limits by €28 at each point, adding an extra €16.80 to the payments of most existing FIS recipients. The minimum FIS weekly payment was also increased by €7 from €13 to €20. The average weekly payment now stands at €76.83 per week, with a total of 14,040 families receiving a supplement under the scheme.
The question of further improvements to the income thresholds is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context, having regard to available resources and Government commitments.