Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

97. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline various sources of agility funding available to artists. [24530/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.

I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact and provide the Deputy with the information requested in relation to agility funding available to artists. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Council within the next ten working days.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

98. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the artist pilot scheme; and if it will open up for new entrants. [24531/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I fully appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists and it is my intention to make an announcement on the next steps in the coming weeks. I know there is broad-based support for the scheme and I will be meeting shortly with the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) to hear its views on the scheme in detail.

Recipients have been receiving payment and responding to surveys under the scheme since August 2022. Evaluation of the pilot is continuous, as participants complete a survey every six months. My Department is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. This report will be available on gov.ie, along with the two reports published to date.

A further qualitative research paper, written by an independent researcher, will be published in the coming weeks. This paper collects the experiences of 50 BIA recipients, who have been interviewed by a sociologist. A cost-benefit analysis paper is also being prepared.

While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation. Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.

It is important to note that the pilot is a research programme and that no decision has been taken as to the continuation of BIA, and that the research evaluating the impact of the pilot scheme is ongoing.

A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and the future of the BIA will be decided when the final results of the research are available which will provide the Government with the evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions about the Basic Income for the Arts.