Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael)

The issues of service delivery and medical cards were discussed recently in the House. However, the issue of family income support has not been addressed. I have been contacted by a number of constituents about family income support. People in receipt of FIS receive notification of cessation of payments six weeks prior to the date on which it will cease. They are told when they apply for it, that there is a waiting time of 12 weeks for completion of applications and that they should in the interim apply for supplementary welfare, which creates much work for many people. The Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, stated recently that processing medical card applications is being streamlined. Rather than having to fill out a new application form for family income supplement payment every nine months, people should be asked six weeks prior to the date on which payments will cease, to provide a statement of affairs, including bank statements and bank of income in order for their payments to continue.

As has been stated, many people are concerned about how they will meet the new charges introduced. People in receipt of family income supplement are deeply concerned about how they will meet these charges during the time between cessation and recommencement of payments. This is causing great hardship. Delivery of this service must be streamlined. Politicians have a responsibility to ensure this happens. I would welcome a debate with the relevant Minister on this issue. Also, it should be possible in this day and age for these applications to be processed electronically.