Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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230. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications received from eligible applicants in respect of the basic income for artists pilot scheme; when the first payment will be made under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32468/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Demand for the basic income for the arts pilot research scheme has been very strong with just over 9,000 applications received by the closing date of May 12^th. 

I am very encouraged by the level of interest from artists and creative arts workers interested in participating in the pilot scheme.  Assessment of the applications has begun and this process will take at least 6-8 weeks given the high volume of applications.  Once assessed for eligibility, all eligible applicants will be entered into an anonymised random sampling process to choose the 2,000 scheme participants.  I expect payments to commence during Q3 depending on the length of time it takes to complete the eligibility checks, selection process and return of grant documentation from successful applicants. 

I am delighted that over 9,000 artists and creative arts workers were willing to participate in this innovative research project. This heralds a new approach to the way the State funds and recognises her artists and I look forward to seeing the data and findings of the research during the pilot.