Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will give further consideration to the extension of the basic income for the arts scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52548/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I announced an extension of six months to February 2026 to allow for further assessment of the pilot data and to engage in stakeholder consultation to provide an evidence base for Government to make decisions on next steps.

Consultation is ongoing including a Consultative Committee which draws from across Government. I launched an online public consultation which closed on 5 September, over 17,000 submissions received, of which 97% were in favour of BIA being continued. A sectoral stakeholder forum also took place on 10 September with around 200 attendees from both resource organisations and artists represented.

The pilot is underpinned by a comprehensive research programme. I recently published a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme which found that BIA recipients compared to those not in receipt of the BIA:

• are 6 percentage points more likely to have worked in the arts
• spend on average 11 weekly hours more on their creative practice
• are 14 percentage points more likely to have completed new works in the previous six months
• invest more financially in their practice
• are better able to afford basic necessities and have higher life satisfaction
• are 15 percentage points less likely to have felt downhearted or depressed
• are 16 percentage points less likely to have experienced anxiety