Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
150. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the proposed universal basic income pilot scheme for those working in the arts industry; when it will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49486/21]
View answerI am critically aware of the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the arts and cultural sector. My priorities for the budget, beyond securing funding for a pilot Basic Income Guarantee Scheme for artists, is to secure funding to support the full recovery of the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors in 2022. The Government understands that the full return of live performance will not happen overnight. I am examining the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to meet the needs of the sector to ensure a full recovery is possible.
In relation to the Basic Income Guarantee pilot, the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living , was published in November 2020 and made ten recommendations for the sector. I believe the delivery of this pilot will be key to underpinning the recovery in the arts and culture sector and will provide much needed certainty to the artists and creatives who choose to avail of the pilot scheme.
I was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, I secured a commitment from Government to prioritise the development of a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for the arts and cultural sector.
I established an Oversight Group to appraise the recommendations in the Life Worth Living report and asked that they prioritise the examination of the Recommendation on a basic income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. The Oversight Group has provided me with a preliminary report on the different options for a 3 year pilot scheme which I am currently considering.
I am delighted to inform the Deputy that funding of €25m for the pilot basic income guarantee scheme for artists was announced today in the context of Budget 2022. Now further stakeholder engagement will take place between my Department and those in the Sector to ensure that this pilot meets the needs of the sector alongside the objectives agreed by the Oversight Group.
I envision that this pilot should launch in early 2022 and I believe it will bring new life and support to the Arts and Cultural Sector, after the difficult circumstances they have endured over the last year and a half.
