Basic income scheme for the arts becomes permanent in Ireland

Culture minister, Patrick O’Donovan, called the scheme the 'first of its kind'.

The initiative will provide a weekly payment of €325 to 2,000 eligible artists over a cycle of three years.

At the launch of the scheme, Culture minister, Patrick O’Donovan, called the scheme the 'first of its kind' worldwide.

“This is a gigantic step forward that other countries are not doing,” he said, labelling the scheme as 'a start' which would hopefully be expanded.

O’Donovan continued: “For the first time in the history of the state we now have, on a permanent basis, a basic income structure that will really revolutionise and, in many ways, set Ireland apart from other countries with regard to how we value culture and creativity.”

The permanent initiative began as a trial in 2022 as an aid to artists who were out of work due to the pandemic.

Cities like New York and San Francisco ran similar schemes, however Ireland is believed to be the first country to make it permanent.

2,000 artists were randomly selected from 8,000 applicants for the pilot run.

A study found that the scheme was put in place to lower the chance of those in the arts experiencing deprivation, anxiety and reliance on the supplementary income.

Furthermore, the study found that the scheme recouped more than its net cost of €72 million.

National Campaign for the Arts steering committee member, Peter Power, commented: “Artists on the scheme spent more time creating and less time trapped in unrelated jobs just to survive, and many became better able to sustain themselves through their work alone."

He added that a vibrant arts sector more brought myriad benefits such as economic activity, improved mental well-being, critical thinking and innovation.

Furthermore, Maynooth University sociologist, Jenny Dagg, studied the scheme and came to the conclusion that while it was a win for all, eligible artists would be unable to live solely on the supplementary income payments.