Vol. 493 No. 4
109 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to accelerate or intensify his Department's involvement in the preparation of the Government's proposed Green Paper on basic income in view of the increasing food prices here which are affecting the least well off most acutely and the reports that the economy is subject to seriously inflationary pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16571/98]
The basic income proposal of the Conference of Religious in Ireland is currently being examined by a Partnership 2000 working group chaired by the Taoiseach's Department. As part of this process, a consultancy study is being carried out in two phases — the first phase will prepare a costing of the proposal, and the second phase will provide an assessment of the dynamic impact of the introduction of a basic income. Consultants have been appointed to carry out the first phase of this study, and the tendering process for the second phase is currently under way. This study will address all issues of relevance, including the level of wages and prices. On completion of these consultancy studies, the P2000 working group will be in a position to complete its own deliberations on the issue. Preparation of the Government's Green paper will await the outcome of the P2000 study, which will be given careful consideration by the Government. My Department is represented on the P2000 working group and participates fully in its work.
