Jen Cummins
Ceist:549. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to include an organisation (details supplied) in the basic income for the arts eligible organisations. [27962/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 April 2026
Ceisteanna (549)
Freagraí scríofa
I am delighted to be opening the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot this week. Guidelines for the new scheme were published on 1st April and applications will open for the scheme on Wednesday 15th April, with 2,000 places available for artists to receive a weekly payment of €325.
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 focus of the successor scheme is to support professional artists whose creative practice is based in Ireland.
With an allocation of €18.27 million for 2026, the Department is in a position to fund 2,000 artists. The 2026-2029 BIA scheme is focused on artists with a professional practice. Membership Organisations (and the level of their membership which can be accepted) were chosen based on sufficiently high entry requirements, that is, proof of a professional, active artistic practice. The organisation referred to by the Deputy does not have different types memberships that provide sufficient differentiation to identify if members would be eligible for this scheme. It is important to note that three proofs are needed for each applicant and membership of one of these organisations is only one of the ways in which an applicant can prove their eligibility for the BIA scheme.
This is a ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland and recognising the importance of supporting artistic practice and 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.