Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 171: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people in receipt of the family income supplement; the status of his Department's research project to examine factors behind the low level of uptake for the scheme; when this research project will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Family Income Supplement (FIS) 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. Improvements introduced as part of Budget 2007 continued the re-focusing of income thresholds to provide additional gains for larger families. There are currently some 20,250 people in receipt of FIS.

The reasons for the lack of take-up of FIS have been the subject of significant Parliamentary and other enquiry. In response, my Department undertook a nationwide awareness campaign in March 2006 to promote and encourage increased take up of the 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 increased.

The second element to address FIS take up issues is the commissioning of research to examine factors behind the level of take up for the scheme. A procurement process was initiated for consultancy assistance with this project but following a review a new procurement process has been initiated. A request for tender (RFT) for consultancy assistance is being finalized by my Department and is expected to issue during the month of October via the e tenders website.