A group backing the introduction of the Universal Basic Income says they have a plan to show how it can be funded.

Basic Income Ireland will launch the report at their conference today where the Arts Minister Catherine Martin is set to attend.

It follows the recently launched Basic Income Scheme for the Arts with results from that pilot project set to plan a way forward for other sectors.

The pilot scheme, which involved paying €325 a week to 2,000 artists, has been running since the summer with the Government eager to study if the project can be expanded to other areas.

Coordinator Bobby Lambert said they can show that it's not just 'pie in the sky' thinking.

"We're presenting a detailed paper that's been prepared by two of our members - Professor Sean Baker and Councillor Dave Quinn - which answers the question that's often put: 'This is a cool idea, but how do you pay for it?'" he said

"The paper for me is a great piece of work because it shows that we can pay for this."

'Over 80% of people would be better off'

Mr Lambert said their statistics show almost everyone would benefit from a more fair model of pay.

"It can unleash the creativity and enterprise of people in Ireland, whether they're artists, farmers, entrepreneurs," he said.

"Over 80% of people in Ireland who are currently paying tax would be better off, and only 14% would be a little bit worse off.

"That would be people who are above €100,000 a year," he added.

Some people have been critical of the plans for a Universal Basic Income.

Newstalk Breakfast presenter Jonathan Healy suggested it could reduce people’s ambitions to succeed and reinforce the idea the State can “pick up the tab no matter what happens”.

“No government can commit to that going forward into the future – that if something goes horribly wrong, the State will come in and support you," he said.

“Secondly, the basic human instinct we have from when we were cavemen is to sustain ourselves; to do something that will get us out of the position we are in, into a position where we are more comfortable – whether that is hunting with a sharpened stick or indeed going out and getting the best job that you can in the circumstances that are available.

“If we were to give out the message that you're going to get money anyway, surely that suppresses that instinct," he added.