Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

It would be good to have artists' spokespeople attend such a conference, given how they speak for artists and various parties. I am happy to extend an invitation to them and give them the details of the conference's date in May, its format and its agenda.

I assure the Deputy that, as the Minister who introduced this support, I am aware of the pilot scheme's benefits. It is a three-year research pilot. I have placed critical emphasis on that research to help gather data and inform future decisions. We have only had one publication of research to date, but the benefits that have emerged are obvious. I do not just mean the benefits to the recipients' arts practices but also to the recipients' well-being. I have received direct feedback from many recipients about the transformational impact of the basic income support. I know how important it has been for artists.

The research is ongoing. It is critical that we gather further data to have the best possible information on which to make future policy decisions, so we need all of this research. Notwithstanding my firm commitment to the support, the Deputy should appreciate that I cannot anticipate the budgetary process in April.

See this speech in context