Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I read that article and I agree it was excellent. As a result, I sent for the form, instructed the Department to review it and suggested what could be dropped from it. However, when one wants to cut out red tape, everyone approves, and then someone suggests dropping Question No. 42, for example, but is told it is a health and safety matter, and Question No. 39 might be to do with a child's income and cannot be dropped, and so on. In the end, one often makes little progress towards a return to simplicity.

I acknowledge the form is lengthy and extensive, but 17,000 people are getting FIS. A similar further number might well qualify for it. We continue to examine what is possible through the tax system, although many people in receipt of FIS would not be in the tax system at all because they would often be close to the minimum wage. We will continue to promote the scheme vigorously and might re-run the campaign. I will look closely at Deputy Stanton's suggestion to have regard to our database in this regard. I am very committed to the scheme because of the numbers of people who benefit. It makes a real difference to many people and I hope to expand it.

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