Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1^st, I secured a commitment from Government to prioritise the development of a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists. The Government recognises that bold steps are necessary for our invaluable and much treasured arts community to come back stronger than ever before.

I have established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living. The Oversight Group held its first meeting on May 27^th, chaired by my Department and joined by representatives of the Departments of Finance, Social Protection, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Directors of the Arts Council and Screen Ireland are also members alongside a representative of the County and City Managers Association.

I have asked the Oversight Group to prioritise the examination of Recommendation 1 of the Life Worth Living report, and to examine the manner in which a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists will be delivered.

The work of the Oversight Group will be independent of the work of the Low Pay Commission which has been tasked by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to examine the Programme for Government commitment to pilot a Universal Basic Income within the lifetime of this Government.