John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I wish to ask about the basic income for artists pilot scheme. It is almost three years to the day since the application process closed for applicants who wanted to participate in the scheme. Over 9,000 applied. Some 2,000 were successful in the pilot scheme, which had a three-year lifespan and comes to an end this August. There have been a number of interim reviews of the scheme and reviews by bodies external to the Department, which have noted the positive impact it has had for the artist and the creative industry. My understanding was there would be a review by the Department as the end of the scheme approached and that that would guide the future of similar schemes. Are we anywhere near that review being completed? There is some uncertainty for those artists who are currently in the scheme. It would be good to provide clarity around future plans of the Government in this area.

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