David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Has the Minister considered extending FIS to self-employed people on low incomes or to people on community employment schemes? Has the Department had many inquiries from self-employed people on low incomes with regard to FIS payments? Does the Minister agree there probably are people who have struck out on their own, who are self-employed but who are experiencing the financial stresses and strains to which the Minister alluded? Does the Minister agree that the fact that so many low-income families now depend on FIS indicates there are very many people in huge need, dependent on the social welfare system, and that there is a growing gap between the very well-off in our society and people not well-off?

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