Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of new families in receipt of the family income supplement since the increase in the family income supplement income limits in budget 2006; the number of new families who have applied for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4668/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Family income supplement is designed to provide financial support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might otherwise only be marginally better off than if he or she were claiming other social welfare payments.

My Department has received 808 new or first-time applications for family income supplement since the beginning of the year up to 3 February last, compared with 582 new applications for the same period last year. Of these, 569 have been awarded the family income supplement. There are currently 17,382 people in receipt of family income supplement. The number of persons who applied for family income supplement in the year to December 2005 was 22,744.

The total number of new or first-time applications received in 2005 was 7,781 — an increase of 12% on the 2004 figure for new applications. The current level of applications represents a significant increase over previous years. The number of persons in receipt of family income supplement at 31 December 2005 was 17,488, with an average weekly payment of €87.57. The current average weekly payment as a result of the budget 2006 improvements is €109.67

Over the past number of years improvements to the scheme have been made, particularly with regard to the income limits that apply. In this year's budget I provided for further increases in the FIS income limits with effect from January 2006. These increases have again raised the weekly limit, with very substantial improvements for low income families with three or more children. A minimum weekly rate of €20 per week applies.

Additionally, my Department undertakes a number of proactive measures to ensure that people are aware of possible entitlement to FIS. These include advice to all persons who are awarded one-parent family payment and back to work allowance recipients. All employers are provided annually with information about the scheme in PRSI mailshots. Information on FIS is contained in all child benefit books and can be accessed on the Department's website. These methods will be supplemented by a specific and targeted information and publicity campaign dedicated to promoting FIS as a key family and employment support for persons on low income.

The increase in the numbers of persons receiving FIS is a positive development, reflecting the success of a range of Government measures which have improved net incomes for the low paid