Latest news with #BasicIncomefortheArts
The Journal
2 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Artists to receive an extra €8,450 as Basic Income for the Arts scheme extended until next year
THE BASIC INCOME for the Arts (BIA) payment scheme has been extended until February 2026 – meaning that artists currently on the pilot programme will receive an additional €8,450. This extension applies to the 2,000 artists participating in the scheme, who receive a weekly payment of €325. Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, confirmed that the government remains committed to reviewing the BIA pilot scheme to 'maximise its impact'. He explained that the six-month extension of the scheme allows the department time to prepare proposals for a new successor scheme. Last month, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport published a report on the scheme, in which artists highlighted how the weekly stipend improved their mental health, gave them a greater sense of empowerment, and provided much-needed stability in their lives and work . Advertisement Other benefits cited included helping artists secure more sustainable housing, start families, and establish pension schemes. Arts groups have warmly welcomed the scheme. Launched initially in September 2022, the Basic Income for the Arts scheme has been a vital source of support for many creatives. O'Donovan plans to present proposals for a successor scheme to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026. The six-month extension will be used to finalise research on the pilot and engage with key stakeholders in the arts sector. The minister said this approach would provide the government 'with a comprehensive evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions' regarding the scheme. 'I fully appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists and am glad to bring some certainty to those currently benefiting from it,' he added. Following the announcement, the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) launched a new campaign urging local government representatives to back calls for the scheme to be permanently retained, extended, and expanded. 'Our campaign aims to benefit Irish society by ensuring the BIA scheme becomes a permanent support mechanism for artists, recognising its potential to transform Ireland's precious creative landscape,' NCFA Chairperson Maria Fleming said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Major decision on €325 weekly payment for thousands of Irish in 6-month move amid fresh ‘kicking can down the road' fury
THOUSANDS of Irish people getting a €325 weekly payment have been handed a six-month lifeline - in a move that's been slammed as "kicking the can down the road". The Basic Income for the Arts is a pilot The main aim of the payment is to address the job and financial instability faced by many in the creative industry. There were 2,000 creatives selected to The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan confirmed today the pilot scheme will be extended for a further six months. The READ MORE IN NEWS He said the six-month extension will allow for both allow time for "the full evaluation of the pilot" and "stakeholder engagement". "Confirming the plans in a statement today he said: "The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. "In order to allow for the preparation of proposals for a new scheme, based on the research and consultation with the sector, I am today announcing a six-month extension of the current scheme. "I fully appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists and am glad to be able to bring some certainty to those currently on the scheme." Most read in Money He continued: "I know there is broad-based support for the scheme, and I intend to bring proposals for a successor scheme to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026. "The extension I am announcing today will provide time to finalise the research programme and to undertake stakeholder engagement which will provide the Government with a comprehensive evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions about the Basic Income for the Arts. New online application system opens for €360 or €180 Domiciliary Care Allowance applications "To facilitate this work, I am extending the pilot scheme for those currently participating in the pilot for six months to February 2026.' However, the move has been met with strong criticism claiming it leaves artists in "limbo" rather than aids them. The Labour Party blasted Minister O'Donovan and claimed the extension was part of a "drip feed of promises". Labour's Arts spokesperson Rob O'Donoghue said the TD was "kicking the can down the road" with the new extension. He fumed: "This scheme has been a tremendous success, with artists across the board stating how it has been instrumental in their ability to work more effectively and more creatively in their vocations. "Why then has the Minister simply added a 6-month Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads? With no further information as to what the successor scheme will entail, how can the Minister leave artists in limbo?" 'BEGGING BOWL' He added: "We know there are some adjustments that require addressing for example the criteria for entry, the lack of inclusion of certain artistic forms, and the nebulous appeals process for those who did apply for the scheme in the first place. But will these really be addressed with a six month extension?" 'Ireland has always managed to produce some of the best artistic talent the world has ever known. Our support for our artists must be extended and done so with a clear vision. 'I'm calling on the Minister to stop kicking the can down the road. Artists need security and not have to worry about bringing the begging bowl back to the Government table.' 'CONSISTENT, POSITIVE IMPACT' As part of assessing the current benefits the Basic Income for the Arts payment is providing the Department of Finance is preparing a report on the first two years. The Department detail while research is ongoing, current data highlights a positive impact. They said: "It is clear from evidence collected to date that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation." Artists receiving the payment are reported able to produce more work and devote more time to their work. Those on the scheme have also reported a wellbeing boost and the reduction of anxiety. 1 Thousands will continue to receive the payment over the next half a year Credit: Getty Images
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Labour slams decision for ‘Arts' to be removed from Department's name
This week, the name of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was changed to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. Responsibility for Tourism has moved to the Department of Enterprise, while responsibility for the Gaeltacht has moved to the Department of Rural and Community Development. Labour TD and spokesperson for the Arts, Rob O'Donoghue, said the move sent 'a clear message to artists across the country that they don't matter'. 'As of June 2, this Government has made the decision to remove the word 'arts' from the Department, despite having a Department of Arts since 1994 with now President Michael D Higgins as Minister for responsibility with the Department,' Mr O'Donoghue said. 'This move sends a clear message to artists across the country that they don't matter and aren't a priority. It's shameful,' he added. Mr O'Donoghue said arts and music were 'at the heart of Ireland's identity, but that sectoral change was needed to support workers. 'Subsuming arts into merely culture will lead to a further dilution of Government attention towards the thousands of artists in Ireland who are so passionate about what they do,' Mr O'Donoghue said. The Arts spokesperson said while the arts has an economic impact, by attracting tourism to the country, there had been a 'hollowing out of many arts spaces and venues' across the country. 'What artists need is more engagement from Government, not less. We saw the enormous positive impact of initiatives like the basic income scheme for artists,' Mr O'Donoghue said. 'Having a carved out section within the Department is so important for artists to have trust and faith in the system that their livelihoods are being taken seriously by Government,' he added. The Basic Income for the Arts scheme (BIA) was introduced in 2022 as a three-year pilot project to help artists deal with precarious incomes. The first of its kind in Ireland, the BIA gives a payment of €325 per week to 2,000 artists and creative arts workers. It was massively oversubscribed when introduced, with more than 8,200 eligible applications received when it opened. With the scheme due to come to an end in August, uncertainty over the BIA's future has caused considerable anxiety within the sector. Minister Patrick O'Donovan has signaled his support for retaining and expanding the scheme. However, a government decision is yet to be made on the future of the scheme. In response, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport said the new name 'more succinctly captures the full remit of the Department'. "The word Culture includes the Arts and is a common term used in the title of equivalent Ministries in the EU, noting also that EU Ministers meet at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council,' a department spokesperson said. 'It should be noted that a previous format of the Department was the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht,' they added.
The Journal
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Minister backs keeping artists' Basic Income after report finds they feel happier and empowered
ARTS MINISTER PATRICK O'Donovan has backed retaining the Basic Income Scheme for artists. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has published a report into the scheme, where artists said the weekly stipend of €325 improved their mental health, made them feel more empowered and gave them much more stability in their life and work. With other benefits cited such as helping to gain artists more sustainable housing, to starting families and establishing pension schemes, the scheme has been loudly welcomed by arts groups. O'Donovan said that the research on a pilot of 2,000 artists shows that the impact of the Basic Income Scheme is 'far-ranging', affecting all aspects of recipients' lives. 'Artists are investing more time and more money into their practice, completing more new artistic output, experiencing reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support,' the Fine Gael minister said. Arts Minister Patrick O'Donovan (centre) pictured with the National Campaign for the Arts steering group Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media The commissioned report collected and analysed the experiences of Basic Income for the Arts recipients. It found that providing a basic income for Ireland's artists has helped to achieve the original aums, by assisting in reducing anxiety around making ends meet while increasing time for recipients to pursue their work. Advertisement This increased time for creative pursuits has resulted in greater artist autonomy and better greater ability to plan and navigate their own creative path. Artists also reported that the scheme 'significantly impacts' feelings of financial uncertainty in their lives. As the pilot ends, it's important to hear from the artists themselves. I am struck by the stories collected in this report. This paper complements my Department's research to date which shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact for those in receipt of it. In a statement today, O'Donovan said he had met with the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) last week to discuss the income scheme and was aware that there is broad sectoral support for it. Minister O'Donovan added 'I am heartened by the responses of the Basic Income recipients in this paper. This research will add to the evaluation being conducted by my Department, which to date clearly shows that the Basic Income Pilot has been an effective support for the artists in receipt of it. Per the Programme for Government I will evaluate the data from the pilot and then bring proposals to Government about next steps'. The National Campaign for the Arts committee said that it 'emphatically supports' the retention, extension and expansion of Basic Income for the Arts. Calling it a 'transformative policy', the group said it has helped to support artists to 'secure more sustainable housing, address health issues, start families and even establish pension schemes'. The National Campaign for the Arts said that the findings 'affirm what the arts sector has long known', namely, that the 'deep precarity of the arts requires sustained, courageous support—support that not only transforms the lives of artists, but also strengthens the society they help to shape'. The paper published today found that artists felt an importance of 'giving back' to their community and that the scheme had helped them to work on more projects within their locality. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Minister backs retention of Basic Income for Arts scheme
Minister for the Arts Patrick O'Donovan has publicly backed the retention of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme today saying that its impact is "far-ranging and affects all aspects of recipients' lives". In a newly commissioned report published by the Minister this morning, the experiences of Basic Income for the Arts (BIA), more than 50 recipients were interviewed by a sociologist to talk about the changes that the BIA has brought to their lives. The report provides additional context to the data collected so far by the Department as part of the BIA research programme, the Minister said. The scheme which has been running since September 2022 on a three-year pilot timeframe provides 2,000 artists and creative arts workers, who were selected randomly, with payments of €325 per week. The report finds that participation in the scheme has been broadly welcomed by the artistic community with recipients describing a range of impacts including that the weekly financial support "significantly reduces financial anxiety and increases time for creative pursuits". The interviews also demonstrate that recipients reported "greater artistic autonomy, self-efficacy and validation" through participation in the scheme. Minister O'Donovan said that as the pilot ends later this summer, it was important to hear from the artists themselves and that he was "struck" by the stories collected in this report, adding that the paper "complements my Department's research to date which shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact for those in receipt of it". Mr O'Donovan also met with the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) last week to discuss the Basic Income for the Arts and is aware that there is broad sectoral support for the BIA. The NCFA said that it "emphatically" supports the retention, extension and expansion of the BIA, recognising it as a "transformative policy" that empowers artists with meaningful financial stability. It adds that the findings of the report demonstrate that, the pilot scheme has supported artists to "secure more sustainable housing, address health issues, start families and even establish pension schemes". The findings "affirm" what the arts sector has long known: the "deep precarity of the arts requires sustained, courageous support - support that not only transforms the lives of artists, but also strengthens the society they help to shape," a spokesperson for the NCFA added. The paper published today finds that the stability of the payment has significantly reduced underlying financial stress, has allowed recipients to devote time to research and experimentation which resulted in improved quality and opened new career trajectories. The interviewees report a sense of legitimacy and validation and mentioned the importance of 'giving back' to their community. Mr O'Donovan added "I am heartened by the responses of the Basic Income recipients in this paper. "This research will add to the evaluation being conducted by my Department, which to date clearly shows that the Basic Income pilot has been an effective support for the artists in receipt of it. Per the Programme for Government I will evaluate the data from the pilot and then bring proposals to Government about next steps." The report was compiled by Dr Jenny Dagg, a sociologist lecturing in the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University. The report's research questions included, 'how does basic income support affect the financial stability of artists and creative workers?' and 'how does basic income support influence the well-being and mental health of artists?'. Key impacts reported by participants illustrated income security, and a rise in artistic output and quality. Recipients acknowledged that the BIA payment makes them feel "legitimate" and validated, that "I am an artist" and that being an artist is now a valid and valued profession. On 8 May Mr O'Donovan said in the Dáil that the scheme had "proven its worth" and that he saw "retention of the scheme as a priority" and that he would make an announcement "soon" to confirm details as an extention would be subject to "budgetary talks". Labour TD Alan Kelly who is the chair of the new Media Committee also welcomed the scheme that day and gave his support to its extention.
