Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh Gníomhach agus fáiltím roimh an Aire Stáit. I thank him for taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Martin. Since the Government introduced the basic income for artists scheme in 2022, 2,000 artists have been able to avail of the sum of €325 per week. All the reviews, including one the Minister published recently, show that it has allowed those artists to spend more time concentrating on their work and developing it. It has also meant the money has been put into materials, so it supports the artistic community.I would always make the argument, and I know it is the Government's view, that artists are essential for society culturally but also from a social and economic perspective. Ireland is rightly proud of our commitment to investment in the arts, in particular this programme, which is a direct investment in artists.

I pay enormous tribute to the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, for championing this issue. A direct support for artists was probably the most innovative measure since a tax exemption was introduced by Charlie Haughey in the 1960s. While there are many other supports for arts organisations and venues, specifically to allow artists to focus on the creation of the work has been critical. As I said, all of the reviews are extremely positive and I am quite certain in her response these will be highlighted by the Minister of State.

The three-year pilot scheme will finish next year. There is a question among those currently among the 2,000 artists who were part of the pilot programme about whether they will be able to continue in the programme or if a new scheme will potentially be opened up to 2,000 artists or more. What evidence will we have from the other group that also took part in the programme? I know the Minister is keen on addressing that. I will not pre-empt my party's manifesto, but in Fianna Fáil there is a commitment to continue the basic income scheme for artists and examine ways in which new artists can participate. I encourage the Minister to raise the issue in Fine Gael.

Given that the end of the three-year pilot will occur next year, we should not wait until the last minute. We need to learn lessons from the scheme, which has been in place since 2022, and consider the necessary improvements we may need to introduce. For the artistic community, which is hugely supportive of this scheme, we should provide them with a bit of certainty around the continuation of the scheme.

I hope that if and when the Government is re-elected, this will form part of the next programme for Government. It will be a critical issue in the general election in terms of support for artists and those in the wider cultural community. I hope that the Minister of State can give us some indication of the views of the Department around where the scheme will develop from 2025.