444. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when applicants can expect notification regarding the basic income for the arts scheme 2026–2029; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49418/26]

I was delighted to accept applications for the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot with just over 10,000 applications received by the deadline. This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland.

The deadline for application to the Basic Income for the Arts 2026 - 2029 was 5pm on Tuesday 12th May. Applicants who have made a full application will have an email acknowledgement of each of the following three parts: Application Form, Survey, Proofs of Eligibility.

With an allocation of €18.27 million for 2026, the Department is in a position to fund 2,000 artists.

All applicants had to complete a comprehensive survey at time of application and those who will receive the payment will provide data on an ongoing basis. A diversity of arts practices, ages, and geographical distribution is visible in the applications submitted. The data collected as part of the application is a snapshot of the sector in 2026 and will be a great resource for the Department in terms of developing future policy for the arts. A report setting out this data will be published in due course.

The Department has begun eligibility assessments, which will continue throughout the summer. Given the volume of applications its difficult to be precise about the date applicants will be informed, but it will certainly be September at the earliest. The first payment to selected recipients will be made before the end of 2026 and will be backdated to September 2026 if necessary.