Vol. 497 No. 2
32 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the recent socio-economic review published by CORI in so far as the proposals relate to his Department's area of responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24608/98]
The review to which the Deputy is referring — Priorities For Progress: Towards A Fairer Future — has just been published by the Conference of Religious of Ireland. The study is addressed to a wide audience, not just to the Government but also to all political parties, social partners and policy makers. It has identified a national purpose — full citizenship for all people of Ireland — and proposes a new strategic approach to achieve this purpose.
The review is concerned with tackling poverty, unemployment and exclusion and these objectives also form the cornerstone of Government economic and social policies. These issues are being addressed across the whole range of public policy. In addition, they are the subject of ongoing consideration by the Cabinet Sub-committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs, set up under the national anti-poverty strategy, NAPS.
Concerning my Department, the main issue identified is that of basic income, which CORI has been advocating for some time. Under such a proposal, every person in the country would be entitled, as a right, to a weekly basic income payment from the State. This would be paid without any means test, and regardless of family circumstances or labour force status.
The concept of basic income was examined by the expert working group on the integration of the tax and social welfare system which reported in June 1996. The expert group did not recommend a full basic income on the basis that the tax rates needed to fund it could have a deleterious effect on employment. The group noted that this could change in the future, depending on a number of factors.
Partnership 2000 contains a commitment to carry out an independent appraisal of the concept of, and the full implications of introducing a basic income payment. A broadly based steering group for this project has been established under the chairmanship of the Department of the Taoiseach. The Government is also committed to producing a Green Paper on the issue. Research currently being commissioned by the steering group will be an important input into that paper.
