Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
187. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the criteria for the basic income for the arts is due to change; the number of payments in total that will be made available for successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14599/26]
View answerI was delighted last month to announce that the Government had agreed on the broad parameters for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot. Applications will open for the new scheme in May with 2,000 places available for artists to receive a weekly payment of €325. The BIA is an initiative which I believe sets Ireland apart in how we support our artists.
This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and also the positive benefits for society as a whole if we invest in our artists.
The BIA research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact of the payment and I look forward to rolling out the successor scheme in the coming months. The BIA will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and to retain their talent in the arts sector.
The focus of the successor scheme is to support professional artists whose creative practice is based in Ireland.
I will publish guidelines in the coming weeks setting out the detailed eligibility criteria for the new scheme. The broad parameters of the new scheme will be as follows:
- 2,000 artists will receive a payment of €325 per week
- the payments will last for 3 years
- participants of the pilot scheme can apply for the new scheme if they are eligible under the criteria of the new scheme
I am grateful to my Government colleagues for their support for this ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland and recognising the importance of supporting artistic practice. This support makes Ireland a world-leader in how we support our artists and culture and will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.
