Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister and congratulate him on the overall budget allocation. It was successful. As colleagues have spoken about, I particularly welcome the investment in sport and the League of Ireland academies.

My question is on arts and broadcasting. I welcome the commitment to extend the basic income for artists scheme. Among the 2,000 artists who are currently part of that scheme, there is a need to provide them with certainty as to whether they will continue on the scheme or whether it will be open to a wider cohort. Obviously, if those who are already on the scheme will no longer be taking part, we need to provide adequate notice to them of things moving on. Will the Minister outline in detail what his thinking is, particularly on the timeframe for those who are on the scheme or those who wish to apply to know?

I welcome that we are seeing moves in the production sector. We have a successful film and television sector in Ireland. The Minister will not be surprised to hear that I am disappointed he did not proceed with the levy to support the introduction of film, TV and animation, which this committee reckoned would cost an extra 20 or 30 cent, if the full economic cost were passed on. The Minister said he was afraid it would be passed on to the consumers. Will he comment as to why Disney+ has now announced that it will be charging consumers an extra euro per month? That will not be going to independent film and television producers and animators. This comes on top of the Netflix increase. All of those companies are taking money out of the country when they had the opportunity to invest in it through the levy the Minister refused to proceed with. Does the Minister believe Disney+ should now proceed with the €1 increase it is proposing to pass on to consumers?

In general terms, though, I am grateful for a lot of the measures in the budget.