Should the arts payment scheme be protected?

Artists are waiting to see if they will be eligible for Basic Income for the Arts scheme in 2026. The scheme offers €325 a week to 2,000 people in the arts in Ireland...

The pilot project, which was first launched in 2022, will help to keep artists in employment and avoid some of Ireland's top performers from leaving the industry in pursuit of other careers.

With the 2026 budget talks currently ongoing. Many artists await to see whether this scheme will continue and what will unfold if it doesn’t.

Joining Andrea to discuss this is Business Development Manager for audio-visual, creative and cultural sectors Willie White, Harpist from Dundalk Rosie Murphy and Labour TD and Spokesperson on Arts, Rob O’Donoghue.