Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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954. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps being taken to address the gap in the basic income for the arts payment given the final month of support is in February 2026, with the successor scheme operating from September 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58569/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I was delighted to have secured an allocation for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot as part of Budget 2026. While the detail of the future scheme will need to be agreed by Government, this is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision.

I can confirm that the BIA pilot scheme will end in February 2026, which is when the final pilot payment will be made to the current cohort of recipients. While eligibility is not yet finalised, a new cohort of recipients will be selected based on eligible applications for the successor scheme.

To allow for the new scheme to be developed, Cabinet approval sought, applications assessed and recipients selected and set up for payment, it is anticipated that the earliest my Department will be in a position to make payment will be Q4 of 2026. I intend for the new successor scheme to open for application in the new year, following approval by Cabinet.

The research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact the BIA has had for those in receipt of it and how difficult it is to work as an artist in Ireland given the income precarity prevalent in the sector. The BIA successor scheme will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.

With an allocation of €18.27m in my Department’s 2026 Estimate, I look forward to the design and delivery of the successor scheme next year.

Stakeholder consultation and engagement with other relevant Government Departments on the design of the new scheme will continue to determine details such as the duration, eligibility and selection method, the details of which have not yet been decided.

I plan to bring proposals to Government and aim to publish details of the eligibility criteria and parameters of the successor scheme once they have been agreed by Cabinet.