My Department takes a number of measures to ensure that people are aware of possible entitlement to the family income supplement, FIS. These include advising all newly awarded one parent family payment recipients, advising all employers annually in PRSI mailshots and examining entitlement in all awarded back to work allowance cases. Information on FIS is contained in all child benefit books and can be accessed on the Department's website. In addition, the scheme has previously and extensively been advertised through local and national media outlets, including newspapers and radio, as well as through poster campaigns and targeted mailshots.
Improvements to the family income supplement scheme, including the progressive increases in the income limits, have made it easier for lower income households to qualify under the scheme. My Department will continue to closely monitor the performance of the scheme in terms of uptake and ensure information on all of the Department's schemes is disseminated to the widest possible audience so that people may avail of their entitlements.