Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

While the reply stated that lack of knowledge is not a sufficient reason for failing to claim on time, the Minister has said himself that of those with entitlements, 25% fail to claim. Part of the reason for that is lack of awareness. While I acknowledge the Department's information campaigns and leaflets, people are still unaware of their entitlements. Will the Minister examine the phenomenon as part of the review? Family income supplement is provided to subsidise low income families. I am not asking for people to be provided with something to which they are not entitled. Unfortunately, people who are not aware of the entitlement are not receiving the supplement. When they realise the mistake and submit a claim, payments are not back-dated.

How many people are affected? According to my information, it is a great many. I have rung different citizens' advice offices and have been made aware of a number of cases at my own advice centre. Will the Minister consider the issue in the context of the current review to give people what they are entitled to receive? He said the system is, on balance, fair, but I call for a minor change to skew it in favour of people with an entitlement to receive payment. The guidelines as set out prevent them from receiving funding.

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