Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. The working family payment is a huge asset to many families. Many families on low incomes in my constituency find that the payment goes a long way in helping them to meet the shortfall between their income and expenditure.

I welcome the increase in the payment the Minister outlined and the additional €4 million her Department has allocated to support families who need the payment. There are huge pressures on families right now to make ends meet, put fuel in their car, heat their home and put food on the table. The increase in the payment, which the Minister is now bringing forward from 1 June to 1 April, will make a huge difference because families need this extra support now. Families on middle and low incomes are undoubtedly struggling the most. I worry that middle income families who are not captured by this scheme and other schemes may be falling through the cracks. Does the Minister have any plans to further extend the working family payment or increase the qualifying income threshold?

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