FIS applicants may not get aid in time for Christmas

A backlog in the Department of Social Protection means people due to apply for a family income supplement will not have it in time for Christmas.

Thousands of families on lower incomes will be affected as the waiting list for new applicants has more than 7,000 people on it.

They are waiting an average of 4.5 months and the delay is such that any new requests will not be processed in time for Christmas.