Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:31 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the basic income proposal advocated by CORI. [23594/99]
Written Answers. - Basic Income.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:55 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the timeframe for the publication of the Green and White Papers on basic income; and his views on the introduction of the national basic income. [23604/99]
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern): I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 55 together.
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 to all citizens. The agreement provides that this will be overseen by a broadly-based steering group. The steering group is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, and comprises representatives of relevant Government Departments and the social partners. My Department is represented on the steering group. The Conference of Religious of Ireland, CORI, who have advocated basic income for some time, are also represented on the group.
The steering group has decided to commission the necessary research in two phases. The first phase, which is now almost completed, examines the tax rate needed to fund basic income, and the distributional implications of introducing basic income with this tax rate. I also understand that the report from the second phase is expected within the next few months. This will cover the dynamic effects of the proposal, including its effects on employment, effects on economic growth, short and long-term budgetary implications and the gender dimensions of all of these. This research will inform any future developments, including the proposed Green Paper on Basic Income.