Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak specifically to the issue of family income supplement. I tabled an amendment which we spoke about privately last week that was ruled out of order. We are all coming from the same perspective on the issue. The last thing we want to see is people are trapped in the social welfare system and that every possible incentive is put in place to get people off welfare and into the workplace. Members on all sides of the House are committed to that.

Last week a newspaper article highlighted the fact that sometimes families with children are better off staying within the social welfare system than going out to work. I wish to highlight three examples in that regard specifically on families and family income supplement. The objective of family income supplement is to try to encourage people to take up low-paid jobs where they have families and that there would be a top-up payment – a very valuable supplement - from the Department of Social Protection. Probably the biggest gripe I have with the Department on the matter is that the FIS should be promoted to a far greater extent.

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