Government Announces New Basic Income for the Arts Scheme
Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD addressing stakeholders and press on 10 February 2026. Photo by CMC.
On Tuesday 10 February, The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD announced a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot at a press conference in Dublin.
Minister O'Donovan described the Basic Income for the Arts scheme as a major milestone for the arts in Ireland, and commented on its wide recognition stating that "Ireland is a global leader in the area of artist supports because of the BIA".
Peter Power, Steering Committee, the NCFA (National Campaign for the Arts) was also invited to speak and highlighted the importance of the BIA for the future of all artists working in Ireland saying:
The introduction of Basic Income for the Arts underscores the premise that Government investment in the arts yields myriad positive benefits to society from economic, health, mental wellbeing, education, societal cohesion, diversity, and inclusion, to creativity, critical thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, global reputation and more. We look forward to its implementation and expansion to include all eligible artists and arts workers in the coming years.
The BIA was introduced as a pilot scheme by Minister Catherine Martin in 2022 as a post-pandemic support to combat the economic precarity experienced by professional artists and arts workers in Ireland. 9,000 artists applied for the pilot scheme, of which 2,000 were randomly selected to receive a weekly payment of €325 over an initial period of three years. Research and data collection carried out during the pilot scheme provided evidence as to the success of this investment with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport noting its economic and social benefits:
For every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return. The net cost of the BIA pilot went from €105 million to under €72 million due to tax generated and savings on social welfare payments.
Source: Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
The BIA pilot scheme was extended by Minister Patrick O'Donovan in 2025 and is due to finish in February 2026.
A successor scheme has now been approved by Government and will be open to practicing artists based in the Republic of Ireland in May 2026. As before, 2,000 eligible artists will be selected to receive the payment of €325 per week. The payment will be for 3 years and will also feature a tapering-off period of 3 months at the end of the cycle. Guidelines outlining details for application, eligibility criteria and proofs will be published in April 2026. Those who were on the Pilot who meet the eligibility criteria for the new scheme may apply for the BIA in 2026.
For full details from the Department of Culture, Commmunications and Sport, visit gov.ie.