Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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606. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the research programme undertaken by his Department in relation to basic income for the arts; the cost-benefit analysis that is being prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/25]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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607. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has developed a successor scheme to the pilot basic income for the arts scheme; if so, if this will be brought forward as part of Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/25]

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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608. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment If he will consider extending the current basic income for the arts scheme long-term and open it up to new applicants if no successor scheme is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48289/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 606, 607 and 608 together.

I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland.

The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact, which is why I announced an extension of six months to February 2026 allow for further assessment of the pilot data. This will give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.

An online public consultation closed on 5 September with over 17,000 submissions received, 90% of which were in favour of BIA being continued. A sectoral stakeholder forum also took place on 10 September to discuss the BIA.

My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme and I recently published a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. This research found that BIA recipients are 6 percentage points more likely to have worked in the arts in the previous six months, and that they spend on average 11 weekly hours more on their creative practice than the control group. They are also 14 percentage points more likely to have completed new works in the previous six months, and complete on average 3.9 pieces of work more than the control group. They also invest more financially in their practice compared to the control group.

In addition, BIA recipients are better able to afford basic necessities compared to the control group, and have higher life satisfaction. They are also 15 percentage points less likely to have felt downhearted or depressed, and 16 percentage points less likely to have experienced anxiety.

A cost-benefit analysis paper has also being prepared. It compares the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value. My Department is currently reviewing it.

No decisions on a successor scheme have yet been made. A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention in the context of Budget 2026 discussions, based on the ongoing evidence arising from the research programme and current stakeholder engagement.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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609. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is positively considering the continuation and expansion of the basic income for the arts scheme in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48313/25]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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610. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will consider continuation and expansion of the basic income for the arts scheme in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48315/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 610 together.

I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland.

The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact, which is why I announced an extension of six months to February 2026 allow for further assessment of the pilot data. This will give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.

An online public consultation closed on 5 September with over 17,000 submissions received, 90% of which were in favour of BIA being continued. A sectoral stakeholder forum also took place on 10 September to discuss the BIA.

My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme and I recently published a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. This research found that BIA recipients are 6 percentage points more likely to have worked in the arts in the previous six months, and that they spend on average 11 weekly hours more on their creative practice than the control group. They are also 14 percentage points more likely to have completed new works in the previous six months, and complete on average 3.9 pieces of work more than the control group. They also invest more financially in their practice compared to the control group.

In addition, BIA recipients are better able to afford basic necessities compared to the control group, and have higher life satisfaction. They are also 15 percentage points less likely to have felt downhearted or depressed, and 16 percentage points less likely to have experienced anxiety.

A cost-benefit analysis paper has also being prepared. It compares the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value. My Department is currently reviewing it.

No decisions on a successor scheme have yet been made. A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention in the context of Budget 2026 discussions, based on the ongoing evidence arising from the research programme and current stakeholder engagement.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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611. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the basic income for artists scheme; the notice he intends to provide to existing recipients of the award as to whether their award will be extended or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48376/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland.

The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact, which is why I announced an extension to allow for further assessment of the pilot data. This will give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps. Participants have been informed that the last payment of the pilot scheme will be made in February 2026.

An online public consultation closed on 5 September with over 17,000 submissions received, 90% of which were in favour of BIA being made permanent. A sectoral stakeholder forum also took place on 10 September to discuss the BIA.

My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme and I recently published a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. This research found that BIA recipients are 6 percentage points more likely to have worked in the arts in the previous six months, and that they spend on average 11 weekly hours more on their creative practice than the control group. They are also 14 percentage points more likely to have completed new works in the previous six months, and complete on average 3.9 pieces of work more than the control group. They also invest more financially in their practice compared to the control group.

In addition, BIA recipients are better able to afford basic necessities compared to the control group, and have higher life satisfaction. They are also 15 percentage points less likely to have felt downhearted or depressed, and 16 percentage points less likely to have experienced anxiety.

A cost-benefit analysis paper has also been prepared. It compares the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value. My Department is currently reviewing it.

No decisions on a successor scheme have yet been made. A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention in the context of Budget 2026 discussions, based on the ongoing evidence arising from the research programme and current stakeholder engagement.