1555. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide the full year costs for the basic income for the arts scheme for each year that it has run; a breakdown of the number of artists supported in each year; the income support costs for those artists; the average annual payment; and the additional administrative costs for each year arising from the scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59381/26]

The main objective of the Basic Income for the Arts scheme is to support professional artists whose creative practice is based in Ireland. This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and research conducted by the Department provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and the positive benefits for society as a whole if we invest in our artists.

The cost of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme was €35m for a full calendar year for 2,000 artists to participate, with each recipient receiving €325 a week. The total expenditure varies due to natural attrition of participants and as administration and other costs fluctuate e.g. external research costs.

In Autumn 2025, I published the findings of an independent cost-benefit analysis (CBA) paper. It shows that the BIA produced over €100m in social and economic benefits. For every €1 invested in the pilot society received a return of €1.39. It also finds that recipients’ arts-related income increased by over €500 per month on average. Audience engagement with the arts generated an estimated €16.9 million in social value over the three pilot years.

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 of May 2026.

Including administration and other costs the outturn each year has been as follows (to nearest €,000).