Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive response. Notwithstanding all of the detail provided, the question still remains as to whether artists can have any assurance that the payments they receive will end in August or in December, given that the scheme is fully funded to the end of the year.

When the review is complete and a decision is made, it will take time to revise some of the criteria relating to the scheme. In particular, I am extremely mindful of artists with a disability. Those who are in receipt of a disability allowance or blind pension were, unfortunately, excluded to a greater or lesser extent from the basic income because of the means test and the assessment of income. Time is very tight here. August is only three months away. These are individuals who, if they happen to sell a piece of work or receive some grant funding, live from bank transfer to bank transfer. The only regular funding most of them have is this allowance. Out of respect to them, I would like to hear some assurance from the Department as to when the last payments will issue under the current scheme.

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