Trevor Sargent
Question:69 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he has had any communications with his counterpart in Finland regarding the implementation of a guaranteed basic income. [29805/00]
Written Answers. - Basic Income.
To date I have not had any formal contact with my Finnish counterpart on the specific issue of guaranteed basic income. However, following the Lisbon Summit, a process of open co-ordination has been established to enable the community support and complement the activities of the member states in relation to the combating of social exclusion, and the modernisation and improvement of social protection. This involves initiatives aimed at improving knowledge, developing exchanges of information and best practices, promoting innovative approaches and evaluating experiences. The social protection committee, on which Ireland is represented by officials of my Department, has been established to promote and co-ordinate this process.
The programme of action over the coming years will include a national two year action plan for combating poverty and social exclusion by 2001; initiatives to ensure a follow up to the 1992 EU recommendation on minimum guaranteed resources; and analysis of social protection adjustments and progress made in order to make work pay, promote secure incomes and reconcile work and family life.
This process will enable all member states shortly to obtain a detailed analysis and evaluation of the various policies being implemented throughout the EU, including a guaranteed basic income, to meet common challenges in the area of social protection.