Written answers

Thursday, 29 September 2022

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Artists' Remuneration

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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30. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a breakdown of the areas in which the basic income for the arts pilot scheme grants was awarded in Dublin. [47590/22]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The table below provides the breakdown of those artists based in Dublin who were offered a place on the Basic Income for the Arts.  These figures are subject to minor change as the process of applicants accepting their place on the scheme is being completed.  A total of 764 of the 2,000 places on the scheme have been offered to artists based in Dublin.

Co. Dublin 180
Dublin 1 20
Dublin 10 4
Dublin 11 19
Dublin 12 52
Dublin 13 15
Dublin 14 21
Dublin 15 21
Dublin 16 15
Dublin 17 3
Dublin 18 39
Dublin 2 12
Dublin 20 6
Dublin 22 8
Dublin 24 20
Dublin 3 41
Dublin 4 22
Dublin 5 25
Dublin 6 50
Dublin 6W 24
Dublin 7 54
Dublin 8 81
Dublin 9  32
Dublin total 764

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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31. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on her meeting with an organisation (details supplied) and action taken thereafter. [47586/22]

Photo of Neasa HouriganNeasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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59. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to increase supports for disabled persons in the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47513/22]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 59 together.

I recently met with DADA (Disabled Artists Disabled Academics) and the NCFA (National Campaign for the Arts) to discuss their pre-budget submission.  Their submission raises a number of complex challenges faced by disabled artists when they return to work, are awarded an Arts Council grant, or have been offered a place on my Department’s new Basic Income for the Arts scheme (BIA).  Income precarity has always been a feature of the arts sector and this is compounded for artists with disabilities who cannot afford to risk the loss of important benefits like medical cards. 

The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot is a new scheme initiated by my Department and the issue of disabled artists participating in this scheme it is a matter which I take seriously. 

The BIA is a three-year research programme to examine the impact a basic income style payment could have on artists and creative arts workers and their creative practice.  A key research question will be the impact such a payment could have on artists with disabilities.  

I was determined since the outset of the BIA pilot scheme that artists with disabilities would be in a position to participate in the scheme to the greatest extent possible within the legislative framework to ensure the research captured the experience of disabled artists. To that end bilateral engagement has been ongoing between my Department and the Department of Social Protection, to get agreement that the payment will be treated as earnings from self-employment and can be taken into account in earnings disregards that applies to many social welfare payments including Disability Allowance.  That means that the basic income for the arts will be treated like any other income a person on social welfare earns from employment.  The actual impact of the Basic Income on a person's welfare entitlements will depend on each individual’s circumstances, applicants will need to engage with the Department of Social Protection on the matter.  

These are complex cross-Government issues, and I have written to Minister of State  Anne Rabbitte in this regard.  The Deputy may be aware that Deputy Rabbitte, is leading on the whole-of-government response through the disability inclusion strategy steering group, which she chairs.

I have also written to the Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys in relation to the issue. The Department of Social Protection has also undertaken to engage directly with disabled artists who are selected for the pilot to help them understand the impact accepting the payment would have in their individual circumstances. Eligibility for income support payments other than the BIA, such as social welfare supports including payment to people with disabilities, is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection and I do not have any function in that regard.

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