Family Income Supplements paid to low-income workers will increase significantly from next week. The minimum payment will rise from £5 a week to £10 a week and the average increase will be £13 a week. As a result of the increases a worker with one adult dependant and three children will now qualify for FIS on earnings of up to £273 per week.
About 1,000 families are expected to benefit from the changes. The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, said the new measures underlined the "families first" focus of the Government.