Basic Income would help reduce inequality and poverty

Inequality and poverty must be addressed effectively and soon if the current growing polarisation process being experienced within countries and between countries is to be halted and reversed. 

Unemployment continues to rise across the EU as detailed in the latest figures from Eurostat. The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.9% in March 2012, compared with 9.9% in March 2011. 

The Government has reduced its growth forecast for 2012 from 1.3% to 0.7% and for 2013 from 2.4% to 2.2%. The revised forecasts were outlined in the  Stability Programme Update- April 2012

The first definitive results of the 2011 census, undertaken on 10th April 2011, show that Ireland’s population continued to grow strongly from 2006, increasing by 348,404 to 4,588,252, and that the total number of non-Irish nationals increased by 124,624 persons or 29.7 per cent from 419,733 to 544,357.