Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
335. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the frequency with which her Department has contacted participants on the basic income for the arts scheme since its commencement; and if direct communication with participants relates to gathering research exclusively or also to notify participants with information relating to artistic opportunities and events. [25760/23]
View answerThe Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot was a key priority for me as Minister with responsibility for arts and culture.
Research findings on the impact of this pilot on the individuals and their practices, the sector and ecology of the arts in Ireland will form part of the pilot and this scheme has the potential to change the landscape of the arts in Ireland and how we fund it.
Following the application and assessment process the first offers were made to participants on 8 September 2022. In order to administer this scheme we have corresponded with our participants regularly. To date a total of 28 emails have been issued to all participants. These included the initial emails offering a place on the pilot, email reminders regarding tax treatment and tax clearance, emails listing upcoming payment dates for BIA recipients, notification and reminder of BIA survey, invitation to an online welcome and research team survey information session held in March 2023 and links and information on the Minding Creative Minds/Safe to Create programmes being supported by my Department.
Of course there is also an administration requirement to run the scheme and this often requires additional individual contacts for instance, regarding bank closures in Ireland, account details, and other queries as they arise for individual participants.
