John Perry
Question:27 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has studied the possibility of introducing a basic income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27938/98]
Written Answers - Basic Income.
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 both the first and second phases of this study. The 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. My Department is represented on the P2000 working group and participates fully in its work. The Government's policy programme An Action Programme for the Millennnium contains a commitment to prepare a Green Paper on the subject of basic income.