11. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach for an update on the programme for Government. [4088/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

While we welcome that the basic income for artists pilot scheme is extended until February, we are now in February and just a week away from the scheme coming to an end and we are still none the wiser as to when the promised follow-up scheme will be up and running, who will be able to apply and how they will be selected. Forty-seven out of the 174 artists in my county of Mayo who applied were successful and benefited hugely from this scheme but when will the new scheme be opened for applicants and when will it start providing funding? How many artists will the follow-on scheme fund? Are the 2,000 artists who took part in the pilot scheme able to reapply? Will the new scheme yet again be a random selection or does the Government intend to introduce criteria based on merit or on need?

Sentiment score: 0.26