Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The purpose of the family income supplement is to support people on low incomes and acknowledge that they make a contribution through participation in the workforce but need to be supported by virtue of being on lower incomes than others. The case I cited is a good example of a person who can receive this support. A widow with an income of €725 per week would receive €562 from the State.

Deputy Sherlock asked whether there would be a pro rata decrease for young people. Given that young people living at home are means tested on the basis of their parents' income, there will be a pro rata decrease, with a minimum entitlement.

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