Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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573. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied that the policy of not awarding FIS to otherwise qualified persons whose renewal date coincides with a period of sick leave is compatible with equality legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43614/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Family Income Supplement (FIS) is weekly tax-free payment available to low-paid employees with one or more qualified children.

One of the conditions for receipt of FIS is that an applicant or the applicant and spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight or 19 hours per week.

FIS is awarded for 52 weeks at a time and on expiry of the 52 week period, all recipients must complete and submit a new application if they wish to continue to receive FIS.

Should a FIS recipient become ill and qualify for Illness Benefit or Injury Benefit, either benefit is payable in conjunction with FIS for 6 consecutive weeks only. If the sick leave extends for more than 6 weeks, the FIS payment is suspended until either the applicant resumes paid employment and submits a final medical certificate to the Department or until the 52 week FIS period expires (whichever is the earlier). This condition applies to all FIS recipients.