Basic Income & You
Basic Income Would Be Great for Farmers
BII Joint Coordinator Bobby Lambert attended the Ploughing 2026. Here is his report.
Commentary
Reflections on BIEN Congress 2026
Basic Income Ireland’s Joint Coordinator Bobby Lambert attended the 2026 Congress of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN).
Commentary
Basic Income would alleviate child poverty
In a letter to the editor of the Irish Times (15 July 2026), BII Joint Coordinator Bobby Lambert argues that an Unconditional and Universal Basic Income would be better than a ‘second child benefit payment’. Sir, – Fintan O’Toole calls for the Government to address the issue of child poverty Read more
Public Consultation
Public Consultation on Potential New Working Age and Targeted Child Payments
The Department of Social Protection launched a Public Consultation on Potential New Working Age and Targeted Child Payments in May 2026. This is the text of Basic Income Ireland’s submission. 1. Introduction This submission is on behalf of Basic Income Ireland, an Irish advocacy group. Basic Income Ireland endorses the Read more
Commentary
Universal Basic Income would benefit small farmers
In a letter to the editor of the Irish Times (21 April 2026), BII Joint Coordinator Bobby Lambert argues that a Universal Basic Income would be good for vegetable growers. Sir, – In his article on food security, Mick Kelly calls for a universal basic income for vegetable growers. We Read more
Commentary
Universal Basic Income is better for precarious workers than Basic Income for the Arts
In a letter to the editor of the Irish Times (20 April 2026), BII Steering Group member Dave Quinn argues the case for a Universal Basic Income. Sir, – I refer to a recent article about scrutiny in the system of payments to artists (“Fairness of basic income for arts Read more
News
Basic Income Ireland Annual Report
Summary of Annual Report – 2025 Basic Income Ireland continued its work in 2025, held several events and made a number of useful interventions in public discussions. Here are some of the highlights of the year. Steering Group (SG) The SG in 2025 comprised Alan McCarthy, Bobby Lambert, Colette Finn, Read more
Commentary
Universal Basic Income is less divisive than Basic Income for the Arts
In a letter to the editor of the Irish Times (13 February 2026), BII Steering Group member Eileen Boyle argues that a Basic Income for All would be less divisive than Basic Income for the Arts and other sectoral workers. Sir, – As a founding member of Basic Income Ireland Read more
Commentary
Our Letter to Minister Patrick O’Donovan
11 November 2025 Dear Minister O’Donovan, We are pleased that you and the Department have decided to make the Basic Income for the Arts scheme permanent. We understand that it will take some time to develop and share the details for the new scheme. We wish to make a contribution Read more
Commentary
Fastway collapse shows we need Basic Income for all
Press Release 9 November 2025 The collapse of Fastway and its entry into receivership once again points out the shortcomings of our welfare payments system. The insolvency process requires that there be a 30 day statutory consultation period. This renders people as technically employed but not in receipt of their Read more