Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A little over 1% of the Defence Forces are in receipt of family income supplement. I have addressed this matter until I am blue in the face. The only place where these accusations come from is from the left. Other Members have taken on board what I have stated on this before. I went to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection myself to check the figures. I ask the Deputy to believe me when I say that. When it is stated that so many members of the defence organisation are in receipt of family income supplement, that figure includes members of the Department as well.

The Deputy knows the meaning of family income supplement. One could be on €50,000 a year but, if one has 15 children, one is entitled to family income supplement. It is an income supplement that depends on the circumstances of a family.

The Deputy talks about the working family payment. He really should consider the meaning of the payment and what it is all about. I do not have them to hand here but I will come back to him with the full figures for the applications we received during the last intake

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