Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
628. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the research surveys involving participants in the basic income for the arts scheme include, or will include, specific questions to ascertain the impact of the scheme on social protection recipients, the interaction between the scheme and social protection payments and the impact on artists with disabilities. [27499/23]
View answerImplementing the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot was a key priority for me, and I look forward to seeing the data that arises out of the pilot in due course.
The Basic Income for Artists pilot scheme has been introduced following extensive consultation with the arts sector to assess how such a scheme can best support professional arts practice in Ireland.
The BIA pilot has been implemented as a randomised control trial which consists of two groups of randomly selected people. 2,000 recipients were selected to receive a payment of €325 per week, while a further 1,000 Control Group members were also selected to participate in the research. Analysis of the results will involve a comparison of averages between the two groups, across a very broad range of possible impact areas.
Evaluation will be continuous and ongoing, with the main element of the programme comprising a longitudinal study which is seeing participants surveyed every six months. An initial pre-intervention baseline survey was opened to participants in October 2022 for responses, and the first post-intervention survey was open for responses from participants until 31 May. These surveys will continue every six months for the duration of the pilot.
The associated research programme captures a wide breadth of data in relation to participants and their experiences, including whether they are in receipt of any social protection payments. Participants are also provided the opportunity to disclose whether they have a disability as part of the research programme.
Once the data from this survey has been analysed, a comprehensive report assessing the impact of the scheme will be produced by the Basic Income for the Arts Research Team. This team is comprised of a group of economists and policy analysts who are all members of IGEES (the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service).
It is important to note that matters which relate primarily to the manner in which social welfare schemes assess income from other sources are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection under various chapters of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended.
