Greens’ benefits overhaul vow

THE Green Party has pledged to overhaul the social welfare payments system and provide a universal basic income if it gets into power.

Launching its manifesto yesterday, it also listed free public transport for students and light rail systems for Cork and Galway among its top objectives.

Prioritising climate action, the party – led by Eamon Ryan, right – proposed sweeping changes in energy generation, transport policy, industry, land use, taxation, planning and housing. Its 66-page manifesto places “social protection, well-being and valuing care” near the top of the agenda with a universal basic income on its wish list.

It states: “We believe the current system of social welfare payments should be reformed to support all recipients and to maximise their educational, social and employment opportunities.

“This requires an approach that can respond to people’s needs throughout the life course and provide security of income and other benefits to all Irish families through ill-health, financial difficulty, employment uncertainty or the demands of caring for a family.”

The party’s housing policy also pledges to introduce measures to allow for the deep retrofitting of 75,000 houses per annum as recommended by the Climate Change Advisory Council.

It recommends replacing oil-fired central heating in up to one million homes with heat pump or renewable alternatives over the next decade.