David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will report on the child benefit targets in Sustaining Progress; if these targets have been met; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21294/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1997, the monthly rates of child benefit has increased by €103.51 at the lower rate and €127.78 at the higher rate, increases of 271% and 258% respectively, compared with inflation of 30.6%.

In the budget for 2001, the Minister for Finance announced a multi-annual programme of increases in child benefit to the value of €1.27 billion over three years, subsequently extended to five years so that the monthly rates payable in respect of the first and second child would increase to €149.20 per month and to €185.40 for the third and subsequent children. Sustaining Progress indicated that the final phase of the planned increases in child benefit rates would be completed in 2004 and 2005. The completion of this programme will be a matter to be considered in the context of the December budget.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he plans to conduct informational and awareness campaigns to promote the improved take-up of the family income supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department takes a number of measures to ensure that people are aware of possible entitlement to the family income supplement, FIS. These include advising all newly awarded one parent family payment recipients, advising all employers annually in PRSI mailshots and examining entitlement in all awarded back to work allowance cases. Information on FIS is contained in all child benefit books and can be accessed on the Department's website. In addition, the scheme has previously and extensively been advertised through local and national media outlets, including newspapers and radio, as well as through poster campaigns and targeted mailshots.

Improvements to the family income supplement scheme, including the progressive increases in the income limits, have made it easier for lower income households to qualify under the scheme. My Department will continue to closely monitor the performance of the scheme in terms of uptake and ensure information on all of the Department's schemes is disseminated to the widest possible audience so that people may avail of their entitlements.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he has considered a tapered employment-neutral child benefit supplement as suggested by the 1996 expert working group on tax and social welfare. [21296/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Following a Government commitment in Sustaining Progress, the National Economic and Social Council have been asked by the Government to consider the possibility of a second-tier child income support payment which would replace child dependant allowances and family income supplement, with a view to channelling resources to low income families without creating disincentives to employment. I am looking forward to receiving the NESC report in the near future.