Family Income Supplement Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Ceisteanna (1993)

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

1993. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will use an annual P60 and annual earnings to assess if a person qualifies for family income supplement rather than examining a recent payslip; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being unfairly assessed using this method such as persons that avail of term time working year and work nine months rather than 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26779/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

In order to calculate assessable income for the purposes of Family Income Supplement (FIS), it is important to use the most appropriate method of calculation based on a customer’s employment circumstances in line with the relevant legislation which is contained in S.I. 142 of 2007, Article 173.

In the case of a new FIS application, a Deciding Officer (DO) would usually base their calculation on the average weekly gross earnings up to the date of application.

In the case of a FIS renewal application, a DO would usually base their calculation on the average weekly gross earnings in the previous tax year using a P.60.

However, S.I. 142 of 2007, Article (2) allows a DO to consider other periods if they deem it more appropriate for estimating assessable family income.