Universal Basic Income
Universal Basic Income can be defined as ‘an amount payable to a person who is a permanent resident of the state which enables the person to lead a frugal but dignified lifestyle’.
The Green Party believes that the current system of social payments must be revised to support recipients to maximise their educational, social and employment opportunities. This requires an approach that can respond to different stages of life and provide security of income and other benefits to Irish families.
The Green Party proposes to introduce a system of Universal Basic Income for all residents of Ireland by 2024. This payment, in conjunction with a scheme of top-up payments where appropriate, will cover the majority of current Welfare payments and will aim to provide recipients with a basic living wage lifting a significant proportion of the current 15.7% of the population estimated to be ‘at risk of living in poverty’ out of that state.
The Universal Basic Income System will operate for each recipient from birth or at the point of residency in Ireland. The rate is variable from 0-26 years of age and fixed for adults undergoing a compulsory review every 5 years.
The Green Party policy proposes to introduce a system of Universal Basic Income for all residents of Ireland by 2024. This payment, in conjunction with a scheme of top-up payments where appropriate, will cover the majority of current Welfare payments and will aim to provide recipients with a basic living wage lifting a significant proportion of the current 15.7% of the population estimated to be ‘at risk of living in poverty’ out of that state.
Universal Basic Income operates as a standard payment to every individual that is resident in the state without reference to their means or their ability/availability for employment. It is non-means tested and does not increase or decrease as someone’s income changes. The Universal Basic Income should replace a number of social welfare payments and be a new way of providing a social safety net. It should be treated as income for the purposes of calculating tax and for means testing for housing and other benefits.
The Universal Basic Income System should operate for each recipient from birth or at the point of residency in Ireland.
Policy revised:
UN Sustainable Development Goals:
