Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Health Services
I am calling on the Minister to outline the measures that are being taken to improve access to lymphoedema services across Ireland, with a particular focus on prevention, education, early intervention and support for breast cancer patients.
Lymphoedema, for anyone who does not know, is a chronic and progressive condition that affects thousands of people throughout Ireland. I know many people who developed the condition following their treatment for breast cancer, yet awareness of the condition is very limited. While we have made significant progress on breast cancer treatment and survival rates, a lot of patients continue to face barriers in accessing the information, services and supports they need to live well after treatment.
Speaking from my personal experience, I know how traumatic and upsetting the development of lymphoedema can be. I always knew that there was a risk I could develop lymphoedema because of the surgery I underwent as part of my breast cancer treatment. However, after 12 years I did not expect lymphoedema to develop. Like many patients, I believed the passage of time had significantly reduced my risk. To develop a lifelong condition so many years after treatment was very unexpected, distressing and emotionally challenging. Lymphoedema can cause swelling of limbs and people can become very self-conscious of their appearance when that happens. My own experience highlights an important reality that lymphoedema can develop many years after cancer treatment. The risk does not disappear with time and patients need to understand that from the outset. Education cannot stop when active treatment ends. Women and men are living beyond cancer and they need ongoing information, reassurance and access to services when problems arise.
Prevention and early intervention must become a real focus in our approach to lymphoedema care. Every breast cancer patient should receive clear and consistent information before and after surgery about the risk of developing lymphoedema and the steps that can be taken to minimise that risk. Patients should be educated about preventative measures such as maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in appropriate exercise, practising good skincare, reducing the risk of infection, avoiding trauma to the affected limb where possible and recognising early symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, tightness or discomfort. Early identification and intervention can prevent lymphoedema progression and significantly improves outcomes.
Education on lymphoedema is equally important for healthcare professionals such as GPs, public health nurses, physiotherapists and community healthcare teams. They must be equipped with the knowledge to recognise lymphoedema early, provide advice and ensure patients are referred promptly for specialist assessment and treatment.
There is a pressing need to strengthen specialist lymphoedema services across the country. Many patients experience lengthy waiting lists or must travel considerable distances. We need an increased number of specialist staff, additional lymphoedema therapists and equitable access to services regardless of where a patient lives. Community-based supports are vital.
I know that in Beaumont Hospital there was talk of examining the potential for advanced treatment options, specifically a lymphoedema surgical procedure for breast cancer patients. However, progress on that initiative seems to have stalled even though we have the expertise. I think the initiative lacked aftercare, which would have included healthcare providers such as physiotherapists.
I ask the Minister of State to outline the measures that have been taken to improve education and awareness and to strengthen preventative care. Lymphoedema affects an awful lot of people but it is little spoken about.
I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. I thank her for providing me with an opportunity to highlight the supports available for people living with lymphoedema and the work under way to improve services across the country. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.
Lymphoedema is a chronic and progressive condition that can have a significant impact on a person’s health, mobility, independence and quality of life. In Ireland, it is estimated that over 20,000 patients are affected by both primary and secondary lymphoedema. For many people, including those who develop lymphoedema following cancer treatment, managing the condition requires ongoing access to specialist assessment, treatment, education and support. I fully recognise the challenges that patients and their families face, and the importance of ensuring that services are delivered as close to home as possible. I thank Senator Costello for outlining her experience and the challenges she has faced.
We are committed to improving care and supports for people living with lymphoedema. A key foundation for this work is the HSE lymphoedema and lipoedema model of care, which was approved in 2019. The model sets out a patient-centred and evidence-based approach for prevention, early detection, treatment, education and support.
Since the model of care was endorsed, the HSE has progressed implementation through a proof-of-concept approach. This has resulted in the establishment of three specialist lymphoedema clinics in the community, located in Clare, Meath and Donegal, together with three early detection services in acute cancer centres at the Mater hospital, St. James’s Hospital and University Hospital Limerick. These services are continuing to receive funding in 2026. Further roll-out of this proof of concept is a matter for the HSE’s service plan Estimates process.
The evidence emerging from the proof-of-concept clinics is encouraging. The specialist lymphoedema clinics have demonstrated improvements in quality of life, improved access to care and high levels of patient satisfaction. Among patients reviewed after 12 months of treatment, there was an 88% reduction in episodes of cellulitis, an 80% reduction in hospitalisations associated with cellulitis, significant reductions in GP and public health nurse visits, and reduced demand on both acute and community services.
Particularly noteworthy is the impact of the early detection services on cancer patients. Current data indicates that these programmes have reduced the incidence of lymphoedema in breast cancer patients from approximately 25% to 1.7%, underlining the value of early intervention and surveillance. In conjunction with the early detection services, the national cancer control programme has developed several breast cancer national clinical guidelines in consultation with a multidisciplinary group of stakeholders, including patient representatives. These guidelines aim to reduce variation in practice, improve patient outcomes and experience of care, and support the optimal use of healthcare resources.
Investment has been made in workforce development and education. National funding has supported specialist lymphoedema training since 2022 and 74 healthcare professionals have now completed specialist education in lymphoedema management. The national lymphoedema and lipoedema education group continues to support professional development and has produced a range of patient information resources, including information booklets and digital supports, that help patients understand their condition and manage symptoms effectively.
I would like to know how much money is actually allocated to lymphoedema services. With regard to compression garments, many people do not realise that there is a need to replace them. I know several people who have worn the same one for years without realising that replacements are available from the State.
Lymphoedema is not spoken about enough. It is one of those conditions that does not get an awful lot of attention but it can have an awful impact on people. When I started in the Seanad, I did not have it but then, one day, I noticed that one of my arms was bigger than the other. I have been managing the condition since. I have been getting great care in St. James's Hospital. The hospital is definitely understaffed, however. The service is under a huge amount of pressure. If more staff and funding were allocated, the service would be much better for people.
I will also follow up on the Beaumont surgical option. Will that be progressed? Does the Minister of State know anything about that?
The national lymphoedema and lipoedema education group continues to support professional development. It has produced a range of patient information resources, including information booklets and digital supports, that help patients like the Senator understand the condition and manage symptoms effectively.
With regard to compression garments, I emphasise that the HSE provides compression garments, including compression sleeves, for eligible patients where a clinical assessment identifies a need. Provision is based on evidence-based practice. Recognised clinical standards ensure that patients receive the most appropriate supports for their condition.
I am aware of the importance of community-based care. The model of care envisages a strong community focus, ensuring that people can access specialist services close to home while maintaining links with acute hospital services, where necessary.
While significant progress has been made, I acknowledge that further development is required. The HSE remains committed to advancing the implementation of the model of care and ensuring that people living with lymphoedema can access timely, high-quality and equitable services right across the country.
The Senator has raised a few questions. I will bring them back to the Minister.
Before we move to the next Commencement matter, I welcome Lisa McInerney and her friend Leah Farrall to the Public Gallery. Leah is visiting us from Australia and has worked for many years as an official in the Parliament of Australia. They are guests of Senator Conway. I hope they have a nice visit. They are in good hands.
Ambulance Service
I, too, welcome Lisa and Leah. Leah has been around Ennistymon in County Clare for the last couple of weeks. I have met her on a number of occasions. In spite of the inclement weather, she is enjoying herself. They are both very welcome to Leinster House.
I thank the Minister of State very much for coming in today to take this critical Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. Living in Sligo, he will know that rural Ireland is sometimes not best served when it comes to the golden hour. As he also knows, getting to hospital within the golden hour is critical for people who find themselves having suffered a stroke, a heart attack or some other medical emergency of similar significance. The Minister of State knows west Clare as well as I do because he has often been there in both his current capacity and in his previous capacity as Minister of State. He knows that, if you are living on Loop Head or in Kilkee, you are an hour from Ennis, before you even get to head towards Limerick.
University Hospital Limerick, UHL, is catering for a population in excess of 400,000 people and there is only one consultant-led emergency department in the area that runs on a 24-hour basis. We all know and have read the horror stories coming out of UHL every week. I am certainly fully aware of them. I acknowledge the work that has been done to improve things in Limerick and the announcement by the Minister for Health in recent weeks that there is going to be a completely new hospital built, which will be co-located with UHL and will have its own emergency department. That is extremely welcome.
I am a realist. I know that we are not going to have 24-hour consultant-led accident and emergency services in Ennis. As much as I would love to say that should happen and will happen, I know it will not. However, there is an alternative, which is to put a helicopter base in west Clare. The HSE operates two helicopter services through the helicopter emergency medical service, HEMS. One is based in Athlone and the other is based in Cork. I also know that the Coast Guard provides very useful support to the National Ambulance Service in dealing with emergencies, particularly along the coast of County Clare. It deals with everything from tragedies off the Cliffs of Moher or off Doolin to providing back-up and support when there is a significant medical emergency.
I know there are plans for a third HSE-run National Ambulance Service-specific helicopter base. I would like it to be located in west Clare. There are plans for a base to cover the west and mid-west. I suggest that our situation is unique in that the distance from Kilkee, Kilrush and the west Clare hinterland to an already overcrowded emergency department is probably the most challenging in the country. On that basis and on the basis that we are not going to see a second emergency department in the region for a number of years, this third base should be in Kilrush, Kilkee or somewhere in that area. It would serve Kerry, Clare, Galway and up to Sligo, Mayo and Donegal because helicopters travel fast. In speaking on previous occasions, I have leaned on the geographical inequalities that exist. When people live in remote places, we have a duty of care to them and must ensure they have the same access as people in urban areas.
I will conclude by commending the work being done by the first responders and the Coast Guard. I know at first hand the excellent work they do and I want to put that on record.
On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, I thank Senator Conway for the opportunity to update the House on the delivery of aeromedical services for the people of west Clare and the surrounding area.
Ireland's helicopter emergency medical resources are consultant-led services and are deployed nationally on a basis of clinical need, enabling aeromedical support to be provided across all regions, including County Clare and the wider mid-west. As the Senator will be aware, the HSE currently supplies two dedicated HEMS, operated by the National Ambulance Service, NAS. These are the emergency aeromedical services operated in partnership with the Irish Air Corps, which operates out of Custume Barracks, Athlone, and is staffed by the Air Corps crews and NAS specialist paramedics.
This is something I am familiar with as it was set up after the downgrading of the Roscommon accident and emergency services. It has saved hundreds of lives, and I am very proud of that. There is also a dedicated HEMS service operating out of Rathcoole in north Cork. In addition, the Irish Coast Guard also provides an aeromedical service on an available basis, through its search and rescue helicopter network, and covers the mid-west region from its base in Shannon. I understand there is also one in Sligo, which also assists with the Air Corps. All aeromedical assets are tasked through the NAS emergency operations centre as part of the national emergency response network.
I can confirm to the Seanad that we are currently progressing development of a third HEMS to serve the west and north west regions, including the mid-west, and planning for the new HEMS is well advanced. The aviation provider has already commenced the required test flight programme, and I am informed the service is expected to become fully operational in September.
The introduction of a third HEMS service represents a significant enhancement of access to national specialist pre-hospital emergency care particularly for, as the Senator outlined, rural and coastal communities such as west Clare. More generally, the Government continues to prioritise increased investment in our National Ambulance Service. This year’s allocation of over €291.3 million for the NAS includes €20 million for new service developments. This will deliver an additional 263 positions to the service and will particularly help to support capacity building in our front-line emergency services. This investment will further develop the NAS intermediate care services and alternative care pathways to ensure growing numbers of patients receive treatment at the right clinical level, and that the NAS emergency response resources are preserved for appropriate high acuity work.
Finally, I offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff of the NAS and all our ambulance services for their commitment and dedication to patient care, both in County Clare and across the country. This is something that has only happened in the past 15 years, where we have advanced paramedics, air ambulances and Coast Guard cover. It provides that timely 60-minute cover that is saving lives.
I am blown away by the amount of phone calls I have been getting, certainly with the air ambulance in Athlone in the past 15 years, from people at first hand whose lives have been saved. Of course, we need to do more. I thank the Senator again for bringing this very important issue to the floor of the Seanad.
The Minister of State can justifiably take credit for the HEMS based in Athlone. He made the difficult decision back then to stick with the Government and it was not easy at the time but he has delivered that. This is what I want to deliver for west Clare.
Where is the helicopter going to be based? There are several identifiable sites in Clare. Kilkee certainly has availability, as does Kilrush. Spanish Point would be an ideal place for a helicopter to be based and would be able to respond in a matter of minutes to a 999 critical emergency call. I am interested to know where it is going to be based.
I very much welcome the fact it is being rolled out in September. This uses modern technology, quick transport options and advanced paramedics on-site to deal with and stabilise a patient before bringing them to get the acute treatment they require. It is the new way of dealing with medicine. It is on-the-spot and on-site; it saves lives. I am delighted to hear about the progress of the one in Athlone. I want to see the same in west Clare, because there are too many people there who find themselves in compromising positions, and sadly, with fatal consequences because there is not that access.
In my opening statement, I focused mainly on aeromedical services in Ireland, particularly the helicopter emergency medical resourcing, HEMS, to provide access to emergency patient care for the people of the mid-west region, including west Clare.
In the context of the mid-west region, I am informed that NAS plans to add three additional emergency ambulances to the mid-west region to provide for improved patient access to emergency care. These resources will be located in Ennistymon, Kilrush and Nenagh. Furthermore, an additional intermediate care vehicle and a community paramedic will be deployed to the region for additional, lower acuity patient care, with both services to be based in Ennis. The NAS is also building further capacity in its national operations centre for increased capacity. Finally, a new ambulance base in Rossbrien is expected to be completed at the end of this year, with an investment that is part of an overall €15.8 million for 2026.
Again, this is good news and a lot of great work is being done. More importantly, lives are being saved. I thank the ambulance service and everyone involved in the great work it does. I see it from my door in Sligo, which is near Sligo Airport from where the Coast Guard helicopters also work.
I thank the Minister of State.
Child Abuse
I thank the Minister of State for coming along today. He can see from my Commencement matter that these are very grave matters, and they revolve around several issues.
First and foremost is the potential rape and sexual assault of children in HSE West and North-West, that is, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal. I have raised these issues in the health committee, on the floor of this House during the Order of Business and in previous Commencement matters, and no meaningful action has been taken.
This issue refers to three people of conscience in the HSE; three fine clinicians who reached out to me almost two years ago, and whom I have met in Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo. They told me one of them was informed of a child sexual assault or the potential for one - even a rape of a child - and under the guidelines, this requires mandatory reporting, so they set about reporting it to An Garda Síochána and Tusla. However, they then experienced reprisal, harassment and bullying in the workplace from a senior manager who directed them not to report their concerns.
Not reporting their concerns is a criminal offence. For a senior manager to instruct, direct or advise these clinicians not to make this report is also a criminal offence, is it not? No disciplinary process has been taken against that individual and there has been no investigation into that person. The reason I am here today is because I met those three clinicians again and there was another similar incident earlier this year - a second time.
A woman came into the clinic and expressed concerns - and I am sorry to use this language here - that she had discovered her spouse - her husband - was accessing child pornography images and films through his devices. These are crime scenes. This is the sexual abuse and rape of children. She reported this and her concerns about children in the family and neighbouring children but again, when they reported this, there was push-back from the same management team to say they should not be reporting this. It was even suggested that one of these clinicians had a mental disorder.
They raised these concerns because they are people of conscience and they have great moral courage, notwithstanding the reprisal and intimidation they have experienced. I have seen the email exchanges between this individual and these three clinicians. It is appalling; you could not make it up. However, as this is a very grave and dark thing, they raised these concerns by way of protected disclosures in February 2025. Here we are, 18 months later, and no action has been properly taken. Those protected disclosures have not been processed about a child safety issue.
Are the people of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon happy that their children are left in an environment where grave concerns - criminal concerns - are raised and, by way of the processes set out, no meaningful action is taken?
Some of the oft-repeated questions in politics are when people found out and, when they did, what they did about it. I raised this by way of Commencement matter and on the Order of Business last year and in October I informed the regional executive officer of HSE West and North-West about this. I reminded him of it. Therefore, today I am at the end of my tether. I have raised serious issues in this country, about sexual assault and rape of female soldiers, for example, and now a tribunal is sitting up in Smithfield at huge expense to the taxpayer. It is Tom Clonan for slow learners. I raised all those issues 25 years ago and here I am. George Gibney is up in the courts waiting to be sentenced. It took, as Senator Boyhan said here yesterday, 50 years for his paedophilia and abuse to be reckoned with. What are we going to do in HSE West and North-West?
I thank the Senator for raising this important matter in the House. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill.
I am aware of the issues raised by the Senator. He will appreciate that neither I nor the HSE can comment on any individual case. The HSE, as a matter of routine, rigorously investigates any allegations of the nature made in this case and notifies all appropriate agencies and individuals. I understand that HSE West and North-West is progressing an independent external review under the HSE incident management framework of 2020 relating to a counselling service in the north west. This review was initiated following concerns raised in relation to children first mandatory reporting. The company has examined a number of records from the counselling service. These have been subject to an agreed review process in line with the terms of reference. The independent company has completed the first and second review of documentation provided by the HSE within the agreed timeframe. Recently, the company sought further records from the HSE, which is in the process of compiling them. The HSE advises that it has engaged with staff directly in relation to this process, in line with the incident management framework.
I understand that while the HSE has been actively working on this issue from the outset, the formal review process took longer than anticipated to commence owing to its complexity. While the HSE regrets the delay to date, it must allow the company to complete its review within the parameters of the terms of reference. Once this review is completed, the HSE will take any required actions to ensure that the findings and recommendations are implemented in full.
Under the Children First Act 2015, there are specific legal obligations for certain staff known as “mandated persons” to report certain information relating to harm of a child to Tusla. This is known as mandatory reporting. The Children First Act 2015 is supported by the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children of 2017, and the HSE child protection and welfare policy, which sets out the roles, responsibilities and procedures assigned to ensure the effective management of child protection and welfare concerns in the HSE. The HSE is very clear about the obligations of mandated persons. All staff are regularly made aware of the policy and the obligations on mandated staff to report their concerns to Tusla and-or An Garda Síochána, where necessary.
The HSE indicates that, after the relevant therapists wrote to the CEO of the HSE in October 2024 on this matter, the CEO wrote to the health region stating there should be no line management screening of mandated reporting by individual professions and suggested the therapists be advised immediately that they are free to contact Tusla directly. The relevant staff were advised of this. One aspect of the existing HSE child protection and welfare policy indicates that staff should inform their line manager when a concern arises and-or when a concern is reported to Tusla. The purpose of this is for communication; consultation when a staff member is unsure about their concern, particularly staff who are not mandated persons; and for the line manager to ensure that the child protection and welfare reporting procedure is followed correctly. The HSE advises it is not intended to be a screening of a concern or a barrier to reporting. The HSE policy clearly states that when there is disagreement about the threshold of concern, either party can seek further consultation with Tusla and that if people remain concerned, they should report this concern to Tusla and-or An Garda Síochána.
The policy also states that a mandated person cannot delegate their responsibility to report. Despite these safeguards, unfortunately, serious cases of this nature can arise, albeit infrequently, within the health service or elsewhere in society. I, therefore, urge all those who require care now or in the future to seek help without delay, or to continue to engage with services if they are already in the system. Again, I stress that the existing wide range of HSE youth mental health services provides vital care supports to many vulnerable young people and their families each year and make a real difference to achieving recovery.
Before the Senator rises, I welcome Ferns Diocesan Youth Service, FDYS, a group of Traveller women who are guests of Deputy Lawlor. They are welcome. It is important that young women are involved in and engaged with politics, because whether or not they like all the old men, this is where decisions are made. It is important that people engage.
I also welcome another group with Deputy Ó Súilleabháin. They are welcome. I know they will all be well looked after. It is great to see them here. It is important that everyone is here.
I thank the Minister of State for reading out the statement on behalf of the Minister, Deputy MacNeill. None of these remarks are directed personally at the Minister of State, but to be honest, ChatGPT could have written that response. In it, the Minister, Deputy MacNeill says she and the HSE cannot comment on individual cases. Then on the second page, she refers at length to this individual case, so they do and do not do so when it suits them. That is a rhetorical device to insulate themselves from responsibility.
There is a serious problem in that area. The Ministers of State, Deputies Feighan and Harkin, and other TDs who are representatives of that area are now aware of it. They should be looking into it. I should not have to go up and down to Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo on a child protection issue. This should be dealt with with energy and urgency, because all this talk about process is not child-centred. It is administration-centred and it is a classic HSE tactic to cover up, deny and delay grave matters.
I want to know why this particular manager is pushing back on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. There are serious questions to be answered here.
I will conclude with this. A moral excuse can be made for theft to save people's lives if they rob some food. A moral rationale can even made for killing in defence of people's own lives. The one thing as a species we have no rationale for - there can be no defence for - is the rape of a child and here we have a manager who says that concerns in this regard should not be reported. I cannot think of a more serious issue that has been brought before this House.
Again, I thank the Senator for his comments. He raised some serious and important questions, which he wants answers to. While the Department of Children, Disability and Equality holds overall responsibility for the legislative and policy framework under which child protection and welfare services are delivered, monitored, inspected and measured, it is the responsibility of all Departments to ensure children and young people are kept safe while accessing services provided or funded by each Department.
The Senator said this is in the constituency I represent. If he wishes, he can pass the files to me and I will follow it up. This is of a serious nature. It is also the responsibility of all Departments to ensure all staff in the Department and relevant sectors and agencies under their remit are aware of and comply with their obligations under this guidance and relevant legislation.
Again, above all, the safety and welfare of children must remain the overriding consideration, as the Senator said, in all circumstances. The Government expects full adherence to statutory child safeguarding obligations that exist to protect vulnerable young children. These are serious questions and I am happy to assist.
Artists' Remuneration
The next speaker is Senator Cosgrove. We will just wait for the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Nach éagóir é go bhfuil ealaíontóirí na tíre á gcur ar stáitse againn chun saibhreas cultúrtha na tíre a léiriú, ach iad beo bocht? Níl sé sin ceart ar chor ar bith. Since ancient times, we Irish have been famous for literature, storytelling, music and whatever we generally call "the arts". It is a term that is used to describe a wide variety of creative work from which we, as individuals and a society, benefit. We lean on the arts in this country, from visual art, painting, sculpture, film, performing arts, theatre, circus and spectacle to the composition of literature and music. Especially in my part of the world, we all know how much we rely on that arts. They have such an impact on people's lives. Nearly everyone engages with some level of art in their daily lives.
There is no accurate way to count how many people are actively involved in the arts as creators at a professional level but we know it is a massive amount of people. We can say with certainty, however, that over 10,000 artists and creative workers applied for the initial pilot of the basic income for artists in 2022, and that 2,000 of those artists and creative workers were selected for inclusion in the pilot. Those lucky enough to be selected between 2022 and 2026 received a payment of €325 per week. It was used by them to support them in a professional practice. We are all familiar with the historic link between artists and poverty, and the reality is that it is ongoing. Many artists live in poverty. We rely on them so much. Last Wednesday, at the launch of our EU Presidency, it was wonderful for us to show the world the creative richness we have here.
In 2025, the Arts Council produced a toolkit, Fair Pay, Fair Practice. Its purpose is admirable and it is consistent with values that I believe in. In my previous job, I worked to support artists. The fact that the Arts Council had to produce this policy toolkit clearly demonstrates that everybody who works in the arts knows the work that artists do and that they are not paid fairly for their work. There are unseen hours of preparation, research and gathering materials. In other professions, you would get paid for that, but for some reason, that work when done by creatives goes without pay.
Organisations employ artists at rates that never reflect that value of what they produce. They are not the ones to blame for this. To attribute a financial value to something that may be conceptual or dependent on taste is a challenge. I understand it is a challenge. This is why the basic income for artists works. It is about ensuring that artists have a basic income on which they can rely, allowing them to concentrate purely on the value of their product rather than spending so long either in part-time work or filling out unnecessary forms and grant applications.
During the downturn, which started in 2008, the consequences of which we are still living with, an estimated 48% of artists left their practice. Imagine that this scheme had been in operation since then. Who did we lose from the art world before they ever got the chance to shine?
In fairness, I will give deserved respect to the former Minister, Catherine Martin. She deserves great respect for bringing in the scheme. The fact that the pilot has been extended to a full and permanent scheme, which will run on a three-year cycle from 2026 to 2029, demonstrates the commitment of the current Minister. I am asking whether there is any intention to build on it. We know it works. We know how much as a country we lean on artistic ability. We lean on creativity. People definitely do not come here for the weather. They come here for the richness of our culture and heritage. We saw the number of people who applied and were approved for the scheme. Could it be extended? Could the basic income for artists be extended so we give the artists the commitment and recognition in monetary value that they deserve?
I thank the Senator for raising this Commencement matter on an important initiative for the State and the Government, that is, the basic income for artists scheme. It is a once-in-a-generation policy intervention that has the potential to transform the lives of artists, as confirmed by the research published during the pilot.
Last year, the Department conducted a public consultation on the basic income for the arts. This consultation received over 17,000 submissions, with 97% of respondents in favour of making the scheme permanent. This shows that the value of the basic income for the arts is appreciated not only by those in the arts sector but also by society at large.
In February, the Government agreed to make the basic income for the arts scheme permanent. This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland. Research conducted by the Department provided the Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. With an allocation of €18.27 million for this year, the Department is in a position to fund 2,000 artists. At the launch of the new scheme in February, the Minister, Deputy O’Donovan, stated that, over time, he would like to expand the scheme beyond 2,000 artists, should more funding become available in the future.
The successor scheme to the basic income for the arts pilot saw just over 10,000 applications received by the deadline of 12 May. Assessment of applications is ongoing and will take place over the summer, with payments to 2,000 artists beginning before the end of this year. All applicants had to complete a comprehensive survey at the time of application. Those who will receive the payment will provide data on an ongoing basis. A diversity of arts practices, ages and geographical distribution is visible in the applications submitted. The data collected as part of the application is a snapshot of the sector in 2026 and will be a great resource for the Department in developing future policy for the arts. A report setting out this data will be published in due course. Compliance with eligibility will be continuously recorded and assessed throughout the time a recipient receives the payment. All successful participants will need to register with Revenue as self-employed and pay Schedule D income tax where appropriate on basic income for the arts payments.
The goals of the scheme are to incentivise the development and growth of professional creative practice through self-employment; to counter the earnings instability and precarious nature of working in the arts and the detrimental effect it has on an artist’s well-being; to foster artists’ agency and safeguard freedom of expression; to retain talent in the sector by reducing the need for artists to work outside of the arts for economic reasons; to support and expand the sector thanks to spillover effects including hiring of collaborators, expenditure on materials and emergence of new projects; to support social cohesion and societal well-being by creating more opportunities for citizens to engage in the arts and to offer a larger selection of artworks and performances to enjoy; and to recognise the contribution of artists to a pluralistic society and their contribution to the vibrancy of communities across the nation.
It is a significant departure. It is an innovative and welcome scheme. I agree with the Senator on the prioritisation that the previous Minister, Catherine Martin, gave to developing the pilot. It is something that the current Government and I as Minister of State in the Department are very committed to. It is a wonderful opportunity. The objective will be to see how it can be built on. The pilot in the first place was a significant step forward, as was the decision this year to put it on a permanent basis. From this year on, we will see 2,000 people as a baseline participating in it. We will monitor it and see its impact. It is a significant decision by the State in recognition of the importance of the arts and the role artists play in our national civic life and cultural life. We will see how we can continue to build on the recognition and prioritisation we are giving the arts through the basic income for the arts scheme.
It is reassuring to hear that there is a commitment to continue it. I am delighted that it has been made permanent. It is hard enough, though, as not everyone is eligible. Praxis, the artists' union, would urge that anyone eligible should receive it. We need more art, not less. All jobs and workers are under threat from AI but creative workers are particularly vulnerable. We see how much we as a society lean on it. I believe there is research that shows that, for every euro spent on the basic income for the arts scheme, €1.39 is returned to the economy. That is an incredible figure. Artists are spending their money locally, bringing communities together through it. I hope the commitment will continue and we will look at extending it to anyone eligible.
I thank the Senator for her advocacy for the arts and this scheme. I agree that we need to see more art, not less. We need within our society to ensure that there is space and support for artists to follow their creative abilities, develop them and have that potential realised for themselves and for society generally. The basic income for the arts is a significant step forward and departure in that regard. We are paving new ground internationally. I have attended European Council meetings where there has been significant interest from other member states in what we are doing, given that what we are trying to achieve is pioneering. The approach taken in developing a pilot, learning from that and now putting it on a permanent basis is a sensible one designed to make the most impact in how we design the scheme. Our collective objective should be to see how we can build on that and make sure that the arts community and people with artistic ability in our communities are supported in a way that enables that talent to flourish and contribute to wider society.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 11.26 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 11.31 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.26 a.m. and resumed at 11.31 a.m.