1552. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he has engaged with the Minister for Social Protection on securing income disregards for grants from the Arts Council and the basic income for the arts scheme in respect of assessments of income for disability allowance, the medical card, and the blind pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59266/26]

I am aware of the concerns raised by artists with disabilities and I have written to the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the matters raised by the Deputy.

On 3 February 2026, in advance of the Memo to Cabinet of 10 February on the continuation of BIA, I shared details from the BIA research regarding the interaction between BIA and some DSP payments. I also identified the loss of benefits experienced by BIA recipients with disabilities as an issue.

However, as the Deputy appreciates, issues in relation to assessment of income are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.