Parties pledge to keep Basic Income for the Arts scheme and increase Arts Council funding

Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats and People Before Profit have published their manifestos for Election 2024, with all five parties committing to continuing the Basic Income for the Arts scheme and increase Arts Council funding should they be elected.

Launched in 2022 by Minister Catherine Martin, the Basic Income of The Arts Scheme examines the impact of a basic weekly income of €325 on 2,000 artists and creative arts workers over a three-year period. Fianna Fáil and the Green Party - the latter of whom introduced the scheme - also revealed plans to retain it in their manifestos last week.

In June, it was published that BIA recipients spend 8 hours more on their practice each week. Other findings stated that recipients hey spend less time working in other sectors, their depression and anxiety increased and they invested €550 more on things like equipment, material, workspaces and marketing when compared to a control group who did not receive funding.

Last month, arts organisations presented a petition featuring over 10,000 signatures, calling for the Basic Income for the Arts to be retained, extended and expanded.

The upcoming general election takes place on November 29.