James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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252. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to extend the basic income for the arts scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49340/25]

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 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 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.