A discussion in Galway aimed at raising awareness about the potential of universal basic income will take place next week.
The event, hosted by Basic Income Ireland, will take place in the Porter Shed, Eyre Square on September 24th from 7.30 pm. until 9.30 pm.
Basic income is the idea of a universal, sufficient and unconditional basic income, paid by the state to each resident.
It has been argued that this would support quality of life, creativity and innovation, and the creation of a fair, caring, sustainable and just society and economy.
Dr. Anne Ryan, one of the coordinators of Basic Income Ireland and author of Enough is Plenty: Public and Private Policies for the 21st Century, will be the main speaker at the event.
Margaretta D’Arcy will provide a response to Anne’s presentation as a member of both Aosdána and the National Women’s Council of Ireland.
Margaretta previously held consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The chairperson for the evening will be Professor Terry McDonough, Emeritus Professor of Economics at NUIG and chair of the Galway City Local Development Committee.
The evening will offer people in Galway an opportunity to hear more about this important proposal and to discuss the issues.
All are welcome to join the discussion. It will be of special interest to those involved in the creative arts, to carers, activists, those concerned about environmental sustainability, and the self-employed.
Anne said: “Basic income is doable in Ireland at this time.
“It would have immediate benefits for everyone and it can also support the longer-term changes we need that would to make Ireland a fairer and more ecologically stable society and economy.
“I urge policy makers, media and the general public to learn about basic income and to consider the positive impacts it could have for their households, communities, local economies and for the country as a whole”.
