Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that sometimes people are not aware of the many different supports that are available. I believe my Department makes more than 80 different payments, so there are quite a few of them. Citizens Information is a very good organisation and has good information on its website.

To qualify for the working family payment a person must be engaged in paid employment, as an employee, which is expected to last for at least three months, and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight. A couple may combine the hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria. The applicant must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with him or her or is part of a family supported by him or her. For the purposes of this scheme, a "child" includes those aged between 18 and 22 years of age if in full-time education. The average total weekly family income must be below the relevant income threshold related to the family size. As I said, the payment is calculated at 60% of the difference between the total family income and the income threshold that applies to the family's size.

The Deputy is also right about communicating the scheme. We are publicising through social media and community welfare offices on the supplementary welfare allowance and other payments. We will continue to do so on a rolling basis to make people aware.

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