text: Tue, 22 Nov, 2016 - 09:26
  An international conference has heard a proposal for a Basic Income of €150 a week for everyone of working age in Ireland to resolve welfare and work challenges in the country.
  Basic Income is a payment from the State to every resident on an individual basis, without any means test or work requirement. A full Basic Income would be sufficient to live a "frugal but decent lifestyle" without supplementary income from paid employment, according to the conference.
  Dr Seán Healy, Director of Social Justice Ireland, said: "Basic Income provides the key to resolving major challenges that changes to welfare and work have brought in the twenty first century.
  "It has the potential to reduce bureaucracy dramatically and increase respect for care work while promoting entrepreneurship and engagement with education, among other things."
  Eamon Murphy and Seán Ward presented details of a fully-costed Basic Income for Ireland of €150 a week for everyone of working age, with a top-up of €38 a week for those actively seeking work.
  They claimed the system would eliminate most of the current welfare system but would be combined with a Social Solidarity Fund to cover special needs. It could be financed by a flat tax of 40% and a slight increase in employers' PRSI.
  This would give everyone a payment of €3,300 per year and would require no changes in the tax or welfare systems.
  Seán Healy said: "Given recent political developments in the UK and the US it is essential that we in the EU face up to the need for change if large numbers of people are not to be excluded.
  "Basic Income is a key component of a future where these core rights are available in practice to all."
  CourtsHeathrowPlace: IrelandPlace: FinlandPlace: NetherlandsPlace: Croke ParkPlace: EUPlace: UKPlace: USPerson: SeáPerson: N HealyPerson: DirectorPerson: Eamon MurphyPerson: Michael TaftPerson: Ronan LyonsPerson: HealyOrganisation: Social Justice IrelandOrganisation: Unite unionOrganisation: Trinity College