Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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37. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the timeline for the proposed universal basic income pilot that was set out in the programme for Government; and if there is further information on this pilot. [35631/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments under the “A New Social Contract” Mission.

This Mission includes initiatives that pertain to the work of the Low Pay Commission:

- Progress to a living wage over the lifetime of the Government

- Request the Low Pay Commission to examine Universal Basic Income, informed by a review of previous international pilots, and resulting in a universal basic income pilot in the lifetime of the Government.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has recently assumed responsibility for the national minimum wage and will act as secretariat to the Low Pay Commission.

Consideration is now being given to how best to progress the minimum wage and universal basic income initiatives.

I recently confirmed that consideration is being given to transforming the Low Pay Commission into a Living Wage Commission.

An early meeting of the Low Pay Commission is being arranged to discuss options for progressing the relevant commitments in the Programme for Government and to agree a workplan for the Commission.

The Programme for Government recognises the importance of the Low Pay Commission in ensuring that those who are in low-paid employment are valued. While the universal basic income and living wage initiatives are being considered, the Government will continue to be guided by the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission with regard to any future changes in the minimum wage.