Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
462. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the roll-out of the basic income for the arts scheme; the number that applied; how many were eligible; the number that have been accepted; the date on which payments commence; and the number of the participants were participants in the pilot scheme. [68879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February this year I announced that the Government had approved a permanent successor to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme and that 2,000 artists would be provided with funding of €325 per week for three years. 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 deadline for application to the Basic Income for the Arts 2026 - 2029 was 5pm on Tuesday 12th May, with over 10,000 applications received by the deadline.
Like the pilot scheme selection is via an anonymous random selection process, this is considered the fairest method where there is not enough funding for all eligible applicants. The selection process took place in May with independent oversight by EY. The selection ranked all applications from 1 - 10,000 and eligibility checks then started from the first selected applicant to determine if those selected were eligible. That assessment process is ongoing to determine the final 2,000 applicants who will receive the BIA.
I appreciate that applicants are eager to know the outcome, however, in order to protect the integrity of the scheme the assessment process is by necessity very intensive and time consuming. No two professional arts practices are the same and therefore the proofs supplied vary considerably.
My Department is processing the applications as promptly as possible and I anticipate that payments will commence shortly. All successful candidates will receive the full allocation of €325 per week for three years.
