Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the average payment under the family income supplement scheme in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46081/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The family income supplement (FIS) is designed to provide support for employees, with families, who have low earnings.

The estimated expenditure on FIS in 2015 is €349.2 million and at the end of November 2015 FIS was being paid to 55,148 families. The estimated expenditure for 2016 is €410.3 million.

The current average weekly FIS payment is €131.50. While an average weekly payment figure for 2016 is not currently available it is expected that the average payment will increase on foot of the increased income thresholds introduced in budget 2016.