Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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33. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to ensure that disabled artists in receipt of the disability allowance or the blind pension can avail of the new basic income for the arts pilot scheme without losing their disability allowance or blind pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14854/22]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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69. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will report on her engagement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media on the pilot of the basic income scheme for artists in relation to artists on the pilot scheme being able to retain social protection payments, specifically in relation to artists with disabilities. [14876/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 69 together.

The Arts and Culture Taskforce recommended the introduction of a pilot basic income scheme for artists.  This was reflected in the National Economic Recovery Plan.  Budget 2022 included an announcement of €25 million to pilot a new Basic Income Guarantee scheme for artists. 

My colleague the Minister for Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has lead responsibility for this initiative and the matter is being progressed by Minister Martin and her Department.

Officials from our two Departments have been in regular contact in relation to the pilot scheme.  Any specific issues regarding the interaction between the new pilot payment and existing payments from my Department will fall to be addressed in due course as work on the proposed pilot is progressed.