Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I outlined in the answer, the reason is not solely the increase in employment. That is only part of the reason. There are a number of other factors that have given rise to the increase in the number of people in receipt of the family income supplement. The decision made in 2016 to change the thresholds meant that more people were eligible for it, as one would expect. The information campaign and the fact that the lone parent reforms mean fewer people are on one-parent family payment and more people are on FIS. Therefore, there are four reasons. One of them is the increase in employment. It is arguable as to whether an increase in low-paid jobs is a cause. I know that the Deputy believes that, but if one looks at the numbers and statistics, it is questionable. For example, we know from the 2015 CSO survey on income and living conditions that incomes rose by about 5% that year. That is a result of a combination of factors, including pay rises as well as additional employment. There have been three increases in the minimum wage in that period.

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