Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
463. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total cost to the Exchequer related to the basic income for the arts scheme, broken down by year since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37160/25]
View answer464. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total number of people currently in recent of payment under the basic income for arts scheme, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/25]
View answer466. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding any engagement he has had with representative groups in relation the extension of the basic income for artists scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/25]
View answer467. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the review of the basic income for artists scheme; a timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37166/25]
View answer468. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns from those in receipt of the basic income for artists payment regarding the lack of certainty beyond February 2026; if a multiannual fund can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37167/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 463, 464 and 466 to 468, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why I recently announced that Cabinet has agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data. The cost of the 6-month extension is €16.7m. The extension will provide sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.
My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme based on this data and is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. I also recently published a paper which collects the experiences of BIA recipients, who were interviewed by a sociologist. A cost-benefit analysis paper is also being prepared. It will compare the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value.
The primary objective of the scheme is to help artists deal with precarious incomes and to prevent talent from leaving the sector for economic reasons. While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation.
Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland. I met with the National Campaign for the Arts in mid-May and further stakeholder engagement is planned for the coming months.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention in the context of Budget 2026 discussions, based on the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement
The current pilot scheme costs approximately €35m per year. The net cost is likely to be less, given the high number of BIA recipients who were previously on social welfare supports prior to the BIA.
Including administration and other costs the outturn each year has been as follows (to nearest €,000):
2022 €11,373,000
2023 €34,508,000
2024 €34,344,000
2025 to-date €17,254,000
The total expenditure varies year-on-year due to natural attrition of participants and as administration and other costs fluctuate, for example external research costs.
There are currently 1968 participants on the scheme, broken down by county below.
|
CO CARLOW / Co. Cheatharlach |
16 |
|
CO CAVAN / Co. an Chabháin |
21 |
|
CO CLARE / Co. an Chláir |
54 |
|
CO CORK / Co. Chorcaí |
203 |
|
CO DONEGAL / Co. Dhún na nGall |
54 |
|
CO DUBLIN / Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath |
180 |
|
CO GALWAY / Co. na Gaillimhe |
145 |
|
CO KERRY / Co. Chiarraí |
51 |
|
CO KILDARE / Co. Chill Dara |
83 |
|
CO KILKENNY / Co. Chill Chainnigh |
28 |
|
CO LAOIS / Co. Laoise |
25 |
|
CO LEITRIM / Co. Liatroma |
23 |
|
CO LIMERICK / Co. Luimnigh |
58 |
|
CO LONGFORD / Co. Longfoirt |
9 |
|
CO LOUTH / Co. Lú |
32 |
|
CO MAYO / Co. Mhaigh Eo |
47 |
|
CO MEATH / Co. na Mí |
58 |
|
CO MONAGHAN / Co. Mhuineacháin |
14 |
|
CO OFFALY / Co. Uíbh Fhailí |
15 |
|
CO ROSCOMMON / Co. Ros Comáin |
17 |
|
CO SLIGO / Co. Shligigh |
29 |
|
CO TIPPERARY / Co. Thiobraid Árann |
31 |
|
CO WATERFORD / Co. Phort Láirge |
33 |
|
CO WESTMEATH / Co. na hIarmhí |
22 |
|
CO WEXFORD / Co. Loch Garman |
56 |
|
CO WICKLOW / Co. Chill Mhantáin |
87 |
|
DUBLIN 1 / Baile Átha Cliath 1 |
20 |
|
DUBLIN 2 / Baile Átha Cliath 2 |
11 |
|
DUBLIN 3 / Baile Átha Cliath 3 |
41 |
|
DUBLIN 4 / Baile Átha Cliath 4 |
21 |
|
DUBLIN 5 / Baile Átha Cliath 5 |
24 |
|
DUBLIN 6 / Baile Átha Cliath 6 |
48 |
|
DUBLIN 6W / Baile Átha Cliath 6W |
25 |
|
DUBLIN 7 / Baile Átha Cliath 7 |
53 |
|
DUBLIN 8 / Baile Átha Cliath 8 |
78 |
|
DUBLIN 9 / Baile Átha Cliath 9 |
32 |
|
DUBLIN 10 / Baile Átha Cliath 10 |
4 |
|
DUBLIN 11 / Baile Átha Cliath 11 |
17 |
|
DUBLIN 12 / Baile Átha Cliath 12 |
51 |
|
DUBLIN 13 / Baile Átha Cliath 13 |
16 |
|
DUBLIN 14 / Baile Átha Cliath 14 |
21 |
|
DUBLIN 15 / Baile Átha Cliath 15 |
21 |
|
DUBLIN 16 / Baile Átha Cliath 16 |
16 |
|
DUBLIN 17 / Baile Átha Cliath 17 |
3 |
|
DUBLIN 18 / Baile Átha Cliath 18 |
38 |
|
DUBLIN 20 / Baile Átha Cliath 20 |
6 |
|
DUBLIN 22 / Baile Átha Cliath 22 |
8 |
|
DUBLIN 24 / Baile Átha Cliath 24 |
20 |
|
Not Classified |
3 |
|
OVERALL TOTALS |
1968 |
