6. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he intends to reopen the basic income for the arts scheme to new applicants. [64552/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

When will the Minister reopen the basic income for artists scheme? We need to encourage the arts in Ireland. As a country that rates culture and the arts so highly, we must encourage new and emerging artists to thrive through every art form.

Sentiment score: 0.35

I thank the Minister for his response. While Sinn Féin welcomes the six-month extension to the basic income scheme for artists, they are at a loss to know what is going to happen now. The date when the Minister intends to roll out this scheme would be very helpful. He said quarter 4 but what is the actual date? What are artists supposed to do if this extension only goes to February and the scheme is not reopening until quarter 4? I ask the Minister to look at that again. There was actually a €2 million cut in the budget to the scheme. This is going to have an effect on all the artists getting paid from this scheme. I also that people with disabilities be included in the scheme. They are being left behind again, stripped of their basic allowance and not allowed to apply for a medical card through the means test they are subject to.

Sentiment score: 0.07

It is disappointing to hear that artists who have already been on it will not be considered. These artists deserve an ability to plan for their future. Some have been tied into mortgages, etc., and they are going to be at a loss with this. I also mentioned that people with disabilities were stripped of basic allowances and even medical cards through means tests if they participated. I ask the Minister to look at that again. I also ask him to look at comedians being considered under this tranche. It is disappointing, in the context of the Bill proposed by Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh that we debated last week, that artists and comedians are not allowed to apply for this funding.

Sentiment score: -0.06

Is the Minister telling me they are allowed to apply? In relation to the six-month gap, what are people to do in those six months?

Sentiment score: 0.00

Thank you for the clarification.

Sentiment score: 0.36