Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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928.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the basic income for the arts pilot scheme will reopen for additional applications; and, if so, when it will reopen. [32034/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme was a key policy objective for me. This pilot is a three-year research programme with the intention of providing an evidence base to assess whether or not this type of support works for the arts. The research being collected will inform future Government policy in the arts and has the potential to change the landscape of the arts in Ireland and how we fund it.

The scheme is a pilot, running from 2022 - 2025, and is operating with funding for a maximum of 2,000 recipients of the payment who are receiving payment of €325 per week. 1,000 Control Group members are also participating in the research. As analysis of the results of participant surveys involves a comparison of averages between the two groups, it is intended that participants selected in 2022 remain on the scheme for the full three years. I do not intend to invite new applications for the or during the pilot phase.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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929.To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the basic income for the arts scheme will be continued past 2025. [32035/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Basic Income for the Arts pilot was a key policy objective for me. Since becoming Minister, I have been determined to focus on supporting professional arts practice and demonstrating to artists that they are valued, that their work is appreciated and that the contribution they make to enhancing all of our lives is understood.

Accordingly, in line with that commitment to supporting artists, in the last four years I have delivered the following:

• funding for the Culture programme in my department has grown by over 90%
• funding for the Arts Council has grown by 68%
• funding for Screen Ireland has grown by 88%
• funding for Culture Ireland has grown 65%
• funding of €105 million is in place for the Basic Income for the Arts Research Programme
• funding for National Cultural Institutions has increased by over 50%
• we are supporting the provision of new artist workspaces in Dublin City and elsewhere