Fianna Fáil under fire for ‘old basic income’ policy

Fianna Fáil has been accused of launching a policy it dismissed as unworkable more than a decade ago, after the party claimed it will introduce a “basic income level” system to replace existing social welfare supports.

Launching his party’s social protection priorities should it form part of the next government, social protection spokesperson Willie O’Dea said Fianna Fáil plans to “examine putting in place a basic income level” for everyone in Ireland.

The scheme — which Mr O’Dea said could be implemented within six months — involves cutting some social welfare supports and changing the tax credit system to ensure basic income of workers is above social welfare.