Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 26:

In page 4, before section 4, to insert the following new section:

"4.—The Minister shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the level of use and take up of the Family Income Supplement.".

Sadly, the family income supplement has been unsuccessful. It attempted to support families at work on low pay but the take-up is a long-standing problem. Recent research by the ESRI suggests that fewer than one in three of potentially eligible claimants receive family income supplement. This was introduced in 1984 and it is stunning that 22 years later the take-up has remained a fraction of its potential throughout that period. There are no suggestions why 60% or more eligible families did not receive the supplement. I would like the Minister of State to comment on this and hope she can outline some suggestions for improving the take-up by those who are eligible.