7. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the progress made regarding the establishment of a permanent basic income for the arts scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64387/25]

Sentiment score: 0.15

We in the Social Democrats welcome this programme. It has been wonderful. My office has spoken to dozen of artists who tell me that no matter the medium, the scheme has meant they have been able to produce more art, has helped them to have healthier and happier lives and has allowed their art to get to more people. There are paintings, sculptures, poems and plays that simply would not exist without this scheme. We genuinely feel passionately that it is a positive element. It is helpful to know that the eligibility criteria will be published as soon as possible because I know people in the artistic community are waiting with bated breath to understand how it will run. I think I heard in the Minister's answer that those who have been in the existing pilot will not be eligible for the second scheme, or did I get that wrong? Will the Minister clarify? Will those who have been on the scheme be able to reapply? I share the same concerns that there is a six-month gap and people with disabilities are being penalised.

Sentiment score: 0.26

I thank the Minister for the information. We share his passion for this programme. My concern is that it seems that a pilot was run and we are just getting another pilot. We need more certainty, more permanence and a broader cohort of people who can access it. I raised in previous sessions with the Minister the idea that a pilot should also be something that we capture the data from and potentially offer to other cohorts in society. At that time, he dismissed it. He said that he was just looking after his Department and that it was not fair to expect that he would be sharing those results with Cabinet colleagues to identify other cohorts in Irish society who could benefit from a basic income. In the last couple of weeks, in the culture, communications and sport committee, we have identified that a good group of people who would be eligible for this or would potentially benefit from it is journalists, who are within the Minister's area. I also would like to raise again that seasonal farmers are another group. There are lots of groups in Irish society to which this could apply. If we let this pass by without capturing this data, learning from it and seeing how we can apply it to others, we are missing a trick.

Sentiment score: 0.24