Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will approve family income supplement payments for Garda recruits (details supplied) in Templemore, County Tipperary as they are employees of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30571/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The family income supplement (FIS) is an in-work income support for employees on low earnings who have families.

To qualify for payment of FIS a person must be engaged in full time paid employment as an employee which is expected to last for at least 3 months and be working for a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight. A couple may combine their hours of employment to meet the qualification criteria.

Student Gardaí attend full-time day education at the Garda College as well as periods of on the job training over a period of 72 weeks while studying for their BA degree in advanced policing. They receive a weekly allowance of €184 per week while studying for this degree.

Attendance on a full-time day education course is not considered full-time employment and consequently students cannot qualify for FIS.