Minimum income for the poorest
Mitchell presses for a reasonable minimum payment for people on the lowest incomes. Woods distinguishes this from a universal guaranteed income, notes a separate question on a statutory minimum for unemployment assistance, and says he wants those on the lowest incomes to have an adequate basic level.
I am increasingly depressed by the Minister's lack of interest in discriminating positively in favour of those who are at the bottom of the economic ladder. Would the Minister not agree that there is urgent need to discriminate positively and make special provision for those who are on £34 and £35 per week? Does he not agree that some steps should be taken to establish a reasonable minimum for the really poor?
Comment on this
That is a different question. It is not the one the Deputy asked. The Deputy asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he accepts the concept of a guaranteed income for all.
Comment on this
How could I do that for all? That is the question that was looked at by the commission.
Comment on this
A different question would be one of a basic minimum for people on the lowest incomes or people in particular categories or circumstances.
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Does the Minister accept that he is being semantic and playing with words in order to avoid the issue? I will ask a more precise question. Does the Minister agree that, as a matter of principle, a certain minimum payment for those on the social welfare code should be provided as soon as possible?
Comment on this
The Deputy put down the wrong question. Deputy McCartan had a question down about which possibly Deputy Mitchell is talking——
Comment on this
Deputy McCartan tabled Question No. 6 today which asks the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce a statutory right to a basic minimum level of unemployment assistance for all employed adults. That is an entirely different question from that of Deputy Mitchell. Furthermore, Deputy Mitchell's question has been considered and that is why a certain amount of confusion has been caused by the way the question is framed. If the Deputy is asking a supplementary question to the one he put down, I am very anxious to ensure that people on the lowest levels of income would have an adequate basic wage.