Jack Wall
Ceist:41 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the publication date for the Green Paper on basic income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1901/00]
Written Answers. - Basic Income.
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 research will be overseen by a broadly based steering group. This steering group is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.
The steering group has commissioned the necessary research in two phases. The first phase, which is now almost completed, has examined the tax rate needed to fund basic income, and the distributional implications of introducing basic income with this tax rate.
I 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-term and long-term budgetary implications and the gender dimensions of all these.
Any future developments in this area, including the proposed Green Paper on Basic Income, will need to await the outcome of the research programme I have outlined above.