by Yannick Vanderborght | Jun 15, 2012 | Research
In her this column, Anne B. Ryan, of BIEN Ireland, argues that the current welfare system is not applicable anymore and it needs to be replaced by new system, Universal Basic Income (UBI). UBI is a regular and unconditional income whether one is employed or not. The current welfare system was designed to benefit small number of people that became temporarily unemployed. We need a new system, argues Ryan, UBI, which can benefit everybody and allow one to live up to the decent living standards. Ryan believes that UBI will give people power over decisions in their work life. People with low income, or socially or environmentally hazardous work can have a power of decision whether to leave or stay in their workplace. UBI would also benefit small business entrepreneurs, young people, and volunteers. UBI can be founded by social resource payment paid by employers and the rest can come from increase in income tax. The article stresses that this system can help in combating inequalities and divisiveness persisting in society due to differences in current levels of security.
Ryan, A. B. (2010). “Column: Our Welfare System is Broken. We Can Fix it… By Paying Everybody.” In The Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2012 from https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-our-welfare-system-is-broken-we-can-fix-it%E2%80%A6-by-paying-everybody/
by Yannick Vanderborght | Apr 12, 2012 | Research
In its latest Socio-Economic Review (2012) entitled Shaping Ireland’s Future: Securing Economic Development, Social Equity and Sustainability, the NGO Social Justice Ireland shows that over 700,000 people (among them, 200,00 children) are living in poverty in Ireland. The report was released on April 10, 2012, and one of its co-authors, Sean Healy, was interviewed by the daily The Irish Times. The newspaper briefly focuses on the fact that this new report recommends that Irish policy makers “introduce a basic income system to replace social welfare and income tax credits”.
According to the report, a basic income system “would guarantee an income above the poverty line for everyone. It would not be means tested. There would be no “signing on” and no restrictions or conditions. In practice a basic income recognises the right of every person to a share of the resources of society.” (p.93).
The full report is available in PDF at: https://www.socialjustice.ie/content/shaping-irelands-future-socio-economic-review-2012-full-text
The Irish Times article: https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0410/breaking18.html
by Yannick Vanderborght | Sep 5, 2011 | News
Social Justice Ireland’s annual Social Policy Conference will address the issue of Sharing responsibility in Shaping the Future. This one-day conference will be held in Duiblin on September 14, 2011 and will be addressed by a distinguished list of international and national speakers.
Questions concerning responsibility have been widely debated in recent times. Among these are questions on why ordinary people who had no part in the decisions made by banks and other institutions that caused the current series of crises, now have to take responsibility for the consequences of dangerous and sometimes illegal activities of those who played a central role?
The issue of responsibility goes even further. Following from recent crises people’s rights are at risk as are social protection, the welfare state and democracy itself. This situation is exacerbated by many other challenges facing the world today ranging from pandemics to environmental devastation, from nuclear annihilation to mass migration of displaced people.
It is time that responsibility for shaping the future was shared in a meaningful way between all stakeholders in the interests of the common good. But sharing responsibility raises its own series of questions such as:
- Why should responsibility be shared?
- How can responsibility be shared in a real and meaningful manner at local, national and international levels?
- How can people ensure their voice is really heard or that future generations are protected?
More information at Social Justice Ireland
by Karl Widerquist | Aug 12, 2010 | News
The Irish Liberal Party is a small, new political party in the Republic of Ireland. According to the party’s website. “The party stands for the principles of individual freedom, respect for human rights, the rule of law, equality of opportunity, free and fair elections and multiparty-democracy, social justice, tolerance, free market economy, free trade, environmental sustainability and a strong sense of international solidarity.” Also according to the party’s website, “Our most important policies are our Social Justice policies of basic income for all and the introduction of the Land Valuation Tax.” The website’s elaboration of its basic income provision uses BIEN’s definition of basic income and includes a link to the BIEN website.
The party’s website is: irishliberalparty.org
The party’s endorsement of BIG is at the following page: https://irishliberalparty.org/page_1277298297057.html
