Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When the basic income pilot scheme was announced, it was always going to be for a specific cohort that was selected as I referred to in my initial reply. However, the supports for the arts and culture sector secured in 2022 are very clear. There is €25 million for the basic income scheme for artists and arts workers. We are maintaining the Arts Council allocation at a record level of €130 million. This allocation allows the Arts Council to continue to protect the jobs and livelihoods of artists and to assist arts organisations through financial difficulties.

There is €50 million for further supports in 2022 for the live entertainment industry as this important sector emerges from the devastating impacts of the pandemic. There is a more than €6 million increase in funding for Screen Ireland from its initial allocation in 2021 to more than €36 million. There is €5 million additional funding for the national cultural institutions, which will ensure they provide high quality services to the public, and €4 million to deliver a suite of initiatives proposed by the night-time economy task force, including a new scheme for pubs and cafes to broaden night-time economy activity across the country. There is €5 million to support the 2022 commemorative programme.

The Deputy can see that there have been unprecedented allocations to support the arts and culture sector in addition to progressing the pilot scheme, which was a key policy objective.

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