Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he expects to publish the results of the research project designed to establish the factors behind the low level of take up of the family income supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43293/06]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 14 November 2006, the progress to date in the research project to establish the reason behind the low take-up rate of family income supplement; if the project has begun; if not, when it is due to begin; the estimated completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43270/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 93 together.

The Family Income Supplement provides income support for employees on low earnings with families. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were claiming other social welfare payments. There are currently 22,352 people in receipt of FIS.

The reasons for the perceived lack of take-up of FIS have been the subject of significant Parliamentary and interest group enquiry. In response, my Department undertook a nationwide awareness campaign last March to promote and encourage increased take up of the Family Income Supplement scheme for working families on low incomes. This extensive week-long campaign included advertising on TV, on national and local radio and in the national and regional press. A nation-wide poster campaign was also undertaken. As a result, the take up of FIS was substantially improved. In Budget 2007, I was pleased to increase income thresholds for FIS by €15 per week to €185 per week.

The second element to address FIS take up issues is the proposed commissioning of a specific research project to examine factors behind the level of take up for the scheme. Tenders to undertake this work have been invited and received by my Department and these are currently being evaluated. The project will commence early in 2007 with a view to its completion in the second quarter of 2007.