Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Unfortunately, that is the case. We were not aware that FÁS was going to increase the payment until we read about it in the newspapers. The decision could not be reversed. My Department will be in contact with recipients of the one parent family allowance. Approximately 400 will be advised on an individual basis to apply for family income supplement.

The tax bands were left unchanged in the budget. Benefits accrue to those who pay a social insurance contribution. I appreciate the ceiling has not increased but given the economic climate, I was not in a position to change the bands. As the tax bands did not change, there was no consequential increase in the PRSI exemption limits.