5. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he has had any engagement with other Departments on the basic income for the arts scheme, to share learnings from the scheme and help identify other cohorts who may benefit from a basic income scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52579/25]

Sentiment score: 0.29

I echo the words of the Deputy. This scheme has been life-changing for artists. Apologies-----

Sentiment score: 0.00

Thank you. As I was saying, it has been life-changing for artists but also for the rest of us as we benefit from their art. As the RTÉ ad says, "Ag tacú leis na healaíona, ag tacú linn." I have heard from many artists of how vital the scheme is. I am keen to ensure it is improved and extended. It is also a chance to explore a new model of how we support work that is a public good.

Sentiment score: 0.47

It is wonderful to hear all the analysis and statistics that are proving what a lot of us believe, which is that we have an economy that values a certain type of work. This type of pilot shows us there is other work that happens in society that should be just as valued and, when it is valued, we all benefit from it. It really is wonderful to hear that. I welcome the six-month extension but, like Deputy Ó Snodaigh, the artists I have spoken to live in this uncertainty right now regarding what will happen. We need some certainty as to what is going to happen. I would love to hear more detail on the interaction the Minister has had with the Department of Social Protection. The word "pilot" is crucial here. This is a pilot but there are so many other groups in society who would benefit from a basic income. I am thinking of small farmers, for example, carers, lone parents and disabled people. There are lots of ways in which basic income could be applied in different areas. If we want to get the best value out of a pilot, we need to think about that. The Minister needs to connect with all Ministers, particularly the Minister for Social Protection.

Sentiment score: 0.37

I do not think we should confine this to artists; that is my entire point. I also push back on the suggestion of renaming of it. The concept of a "basic income" is something that has been championed for many decades now as a way to provide certainty and a safety net for many people who live with precarious labour. I mentioned farmers. There are seasonal farmers who have to spend months of the year signing on when we could look at a much more concrete way of assisting people in moving between the different contributions they make to society. I could mention caring as an example. We spoke about carers a lot yesterday. My point is that if we want to get the value of it as a pilot, the Minister, who sits at Cabinet, should be working across government to look at ways in which it could be extended to other groups. I echo Deputy Ó Snodaigh's comments on those with disabilities who have had issues with this scheme in terms of loss of medical cards and disability allowance. I urge that this be addressed in any next iteration of it.

Sentiment score: 0.13

It spoke about retaining a reference to the concept of a "basic income".

Sentiment score: 0.00