Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:314. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the guidelines for the basic income for artists pilot scheme will be published. [10994/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraArts Policy
Ceisteanna (314)
Freagraí scríofa
The Basic Income for the Arts Pilot scheme will run over a three year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on artists and creatives work patterns by providing the opportunity to focus on their practice, and to minimise the loss of skills from the arts as a result of the pandemic and to contribute to the sectors gradual regrowth post pandemic.
Stakeholder engagement has been core to the policy development process and this has included a stakeholder forum on 15 December 2021, where over 150 participants from 50 artists and arts workers resource and representative bodies came together to discuss the proposal. Following that forum I held a public consultation throughout the month of January.
The purpose of the consultation was to ensure that the general public, artists, and those working in the arts and culture sector have the opportunity to contribute to policy development for the pilot scheme and to offer suggestions from their experiences as artists, arts workers, and members of resource organisations on key issues such as the scheme's objectives, eligibility criteria, supporting emerging artists and participant responsibilities.
The public consultation has closed and my Department received a significant number of submissions, reflecting the high level of interest in this new policy intervention. A report on the consultation is currently being prepared and will be published shortly.
Given the significant level of interest, the Deputy will appreciate that I need to take sufficient time to adequately consider the feedback of the sector through the consultation as I finalise the eligibility criteria for the pilot scheme.
Such a significant policy intervention takes time to operationalise. That process is ongoing and I expect to make an announcement in the coming weeks on this matter including details on when the guidelines will be made available.
Arts Policy
Ceisteanna (315)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:315. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the list of recipients of the commercial entertainment capital grant scheme will be published. [10996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The list of recipients of the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme was published and is available under the heading ‘13. Cultural Development Expenditure at the following link: gov.ie/en/publication/b1eab-creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/.
The Grant scheme will be reopening today 1 March 2022. Guidelines for CECGS 2022 are available online here: gov.ie/CECGS2022
Gender Equality
Ceisteanna (316)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:316. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made on the equality objectives of her Department specifically in relation to women. [11083/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The support and promotion of diversity, social inclusion and full and effective female participation across the Department’s sectors and society in line with Programme for Government commitment is one of the key cross cutting goals identified in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, published last year.
My Department participates in the Inter-Departmental Strategy Committee for the National Strategy on Women and Girls, chaired by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and has a number of actions within this national strategy in relation to participation of women in the arts and sport.
The three outcomes for which my Department has responsibility are as follows:
- Greater visibility of women in the arts, as participants and in content
- Greater female participation in sport and physical activity
- Greater female representation in the leadership of sport organisations
In relation to greater visibility of women in arts, the achievement of my Department’s outcome under the Strategy is primarily based on the implementation of the Audio Visual Action Plan and in particular Screen Ireland’s Gender Equality Six Point Plan.
In 2019, 37% of all funded projects had female directors while 43% of all funded projects had female writers. While full gender equality is yet to be achieved, the figures represent a consistent improvement up from 10% and 27% respectively in 2015, when Screen Ireland first announced its six-point plan on gender equality. Screen Ireland has recently announced a record breaking year for the sector in 2021 and I look forward to these positive trends being continued as further details of activity become available.
In addition to these developments, my Department developed and launched Mná100 last year as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023. www.mna100.ie is an engaging on-line platform dedicated to highlighting the role of women in this current period of commemoration. The web-site has attracted over 35,000 visitors to date and raises the profile of women during this period through interesting webinars, on-line exhibitions, research, a new podcast series and collaborations with partners such as the National cultural Institutions, local authority partners and contemporary artists.
My Department also supports the Markievicz bursaries in partnership with the Arts Council. The bursaries are intended to support artists to develop their craft and ultimately produce great art that recognises and commemorates the role of women in the historical period covered by the Decade of Centenaries and beyond.
The Arts council’s analysis of its individual awards in 2019 is published at www.artscouncil.ie/uploadedFiles/wwwartscouncilie/Content/Publications/Strategic_Development/Individual%20Awards%202019%20Report%20on%20Gender%20Statistics_April%202020.pdf. It shows that 63% of recipients in that year were female and that 54% of the money awarded was to women.
In addition, in 2020, my Department provided a grant of €1m to the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Crawford Art Gallery for the purpose of acquiring work by Irish artists for the National Collection. After a period of extensive research and consultation, the National Cultural Institutions purchased 422 works by 70 artists, of whom 45 were female. This addition of new works, 64% of which were by women, is an important step in establishing a greater gender balance in our National Collections. 8 of our National Cultural Institutions are led by women.
Regarding those outcomes in the area of sport, a fundamental aim of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is to increase the levels of participation in sport and physical activity across the population, with a specific focus on less represented groups including women and girls and to eliminate the gender participation gap in sport entirely by 2027. One of my priorities in 2021 was to eliminate the funding gap that existed in grant funding for male and female Gaelic players. This aim have been achieved, ensuring that we have now parity in terms of grant funding.
Last year, Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4m in the Women in Sport Programme for the two years 2021 and 2022. 45 NGBs will receive funding under this investment. A further €265,000 was invested last year in the Local Sports Partnerships under the Programme.
A gender gap is beginning to re-emerge as COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. To this end, many National Governing Bodies are delivering Women in Sport and Dormant Accounts Funded Programmes this winter which will actively target populations that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic including females, economically and socially disadvantaged communities, people with a disability and ethnic minorities.
Addressing women’s participation at all levels in sport is an important element of the National Sports Policy. That includes women in leadership positions, such as board members of National Governing Bodies. The National Sports Policy had originally set a target of 30% of either gender on the Boards of funded bodies by 2027. In the new Action Plan for Sport 2021-2023, which was published in November 2021, we have set a revised target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a priority to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation.
I would refer the Deputy to the detailed reply on the progress of our work as outlined by my colleague Minister of State Jack Chambers TD, in his reply to Dáil Question No. 50 of Thursday 24 February.
Furthermore, there are twenty-one varied and diverse State Boards under the remit of the Department. At the end of 2021, there was an average of 50% female representation on these boards of these bodies.
I trust that this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
Question No. 317 answered with Question No. 312.
Question No. 318 answered with Question No. 310.
Arts Policy
Ceisteanna (319)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:319. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the delays in the live performance support schemes live venue collective. [11119/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department met with stakeholders from the Live Entertainment sector on Friday last the 25th of February where matters such as the dispersal of grants and the ongoing challenges facing the Live Entertainment sector were discussed. Representatives from the organisation referred to by the Deputy attended this forum and had an opportunity to put forward any concerns or queries regarding the Live Performance Support Schemes.
Stakeholder engagement has been central to my Department's response to the pandemic and the Live Entertainment Stakeholder forum was established to ensure that all representative organisations from the sector are given the opportunity to engage with my Departments and to ensure that I am fully appraised of the issues being faced by those in the sector.
I was very cognisant of the challenges the Covid restrictions caused for the arts/culture and live entertainment industry in 2021 and I provided grants of over €55m to support the sector and drive employment opportunities for artists and crews, through the introduction of the following schemes:
- Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS)
- Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS)
- Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
- Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
- Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
- Funding for Saint Patrick's Festival
These schemes provided thousands of hours of employment for artists and crews at a time when restrictions were such that there were no employment opportunities. The schemes also provided a pipeline of high quality artistic output.
In 2022 I have put a number of supports in place to support the recovery of the live entertainment sector including the following:
- €5m for the Live Performance Support Scheme Strand 2 – for pantomime and seasonal musical theatre events curtailed or cancelled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of €2.6m have also been offered under the LPSS 2 to date;
- €20m for the Live Performance Support Scheme 3 – for events cancelled, curtailed or rescheduled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of over €6m have been offered to date under LPSS 3 to date;
- €4m for the 2022 Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS). Since it opened four weeks ago over 600 applications have been received seeking funding of €2.8m. Payments under this scheme will began last week;
- €5m for the Local Live Performance Support Fund to provide funding to local authorities to support live events in every county;
- €5m for the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS), this scheme opened for applications today March 1st .
In relation to a further round of the Live Performance Support Scheme, my Department is currently examining all options for the proposed scheme and I expect to make an announcement shortly on this matter.
Official Travel
Ceisteanna (320)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:320. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total cost of her recent official visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai; the number of ministerial staff and departmental officials who joined her on the visit and their job titles; and the cost breakdown for flights, accommodation, dining, transport once there and gifts. [11173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that on my official visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai recently, as part of a tourism trade mission, I was accompanied by the Secretary General of my Department, my Special Adviser, and my Private Secretary.
I can confirm that no expenses have been yet processed for this Ministerial Mission, nor have figures been obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs or Tourism Ireland. My travel expenses are published on the Department's website regularly and expenses in relation to this visit will be published once available. Details of the official's expenses will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
Official Travel
Ceisteanna (321)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:321. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will detail each international visit undertaken by her and departmental officials at taxpayer’s expense since she took office; and the cost breakdown for flights, accommodation, dining, transport once there and gifts for each visit. [11174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that my expenses and diary/calendar as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media are published on the Department’s website.
My diary is published here: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/6e364-ministers-diaries/
My expenses are published here: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e9c55-ministerial-expenses/
I can further add that I have undertaken one trip in 2022, for which expenses have not yet been processed. Details of the expenses will be published on the website.
Details of the officials' expenses will be forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (322)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:322. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the meaning of more items at the end of the scheduled information for 3 November and 3 December 2021 in the diaries of the Minister and Minister of State in her Department. [11197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that the term ‘more items’ appears on occasion where there is insufficient space in Minister Chambers diary to contain every given entry that day, when it is viewed in weekly format.
I can also advise the Deputy that the details of the meetings on 3rd November 2021 are as follows:
- Meeting with Seán Canney, T.D
- Meeting with Frank Feighan, T.D.
- Meeting with Ballylooby GAA
- Meeting with Tipperary Knights Basketball/Presentation Secondary school
- Meeting with Cashel Community School
- Meeting with Larkspur Park Cashel
- Meeting with Ballyporeen National School
- Meeting with JK Brackens GAA
- Meeting with Drom and Inch GAA
- Meeting with Nenagh Golf Club
- Meeting with Burncourt National School
- Meeting with Puckane Tennis Club
- Meeting with Peakevilla FC
- Meeting with Galtee Rovers GAA
- Meeting with The Abbey CBS/Arravale Rovers
I can confirm that the details of the meetings on 3rd December 2021 are as follows:
- Arva Cavan GAA
- Lavey Cavan GAA
- Maghera Cavan GA
- Cavan County Council
Official Travel
Ceisteanna (323)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:323. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of ministerial staff or Government officials who participated in the visit by the Minister of State in her Department to Chicago from 5 to 8 November 2021; the total cost of the visit broken down by the cost of flights, accommodation, transport and dining for each member of the delegation representing the Government; and the cost of the gifts presented as part of the visit. [11199/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that I travelled to Chicago from Friday 5th to Monday 8th November 2021, accompanied by my Private Secretary. Details are as follows:
|
Flights |
€1,361.03 for two people, return |
|
Accommodation |
$160 per person / $320 in total |
|
Transport |
No charge - driven by Consul General in Consul vehicle |
|
Dining |
No charge - both Minister Chambers and the Private Secretary paid for their own meals in full |
|
Gifts |
No charge |
Official Travel
Ceisteanna (324)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:324. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the meaning of meetings in Carlow Kilkenny that took place on 15 November 2021 according to the diary of the Minister of State in her Department. [11200/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that the meaning of the meetings in Minister Chambers diary that took place in Carlow / Kilkenny on 15th November 2021 are as follows :
- Carlow Golf Club;
- Carlow Tennis Club;
- Carlow Rugby Club;
- O’Loughlin Gael’s GAA Club;
- St. John Primary School;
- James Stephens GAA;
- Danes Fort GAA; and
- Kilkenny Tennis
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (325)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:325. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the meaning of the various items listed as meeting with a person (details supplied) that took place on 3 December 2021 according to the diary of the Minister of State in her Department. [11201/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that the term ‘more items’ appears on occasion where there is insufficient space in Minister Chambers diary to contain every given entry that day, when it is viewed in weekly format.
I can further advise the Deputy that the meaning of the meetings from the diary entry that took place on 3rd December 2021 are as follows:
- Arva Cavan GAA;
- Lavey Cavan GAA;
- Maghera Cavan GAA; and
- Cavan County Council
Question No. 326 answered with Question No. 312.
Tourism Schemes
Ceisteanna (327)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason Cloghane and Brandon in County Kerry have not been included in the Kerry cycle route (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The cycle route referred to by the Deputy is a section of the EuroVelo 1 cycle route running through Co. Kerry. This route is part of EuroVelo - the European cycle route network – comprising 17 long distance cycle routes passing through 42 countries including Ireland. EuroVelo is intended to encourage European citizens to cycle and so to promote a shift to healthy and sustainable travel for daily trips, recreation and cycling tourism.
There are two such routes in the State. EuroVelo 1, the Atlantic Coast route, and EuroVelo 2, the Capitals route. EuroVelo 1 travels around the coast from Rosslare Harbour in Co. Wexford to Bridge End in Co. Donegal covering over 2300km. From Bridge End it continues across the border into Northern Ireland.
The route has been developed through a partnership approach involving Sport Ireland, acting as National EuroVelo Coordinator, working with each of the relevant local authorities to identify a suitable route meeting the criteria for EuroVelo as defined by the European Cyclists Federation (ECF). The ECF is the co-ordinating body for EuroVelo at a European level. The full route in Ireland was assessed using a methodology defined by the ECF.
The guidance for the development of EuroVelo is that routes should be relatively straightforward without too many detours, should not include spurs off the route and should be one continuous line. In this context it is not intended that the route would detour to visit every village along its 2300km length. EuroVelo routes are intended to form a backbone from which cyclists can explore locations on either side of the main route.
It is intended that promotional material for the route will be used to inform cyclists about any points of interest on or adjacent to the route. These can be identified using directional signage where appropriate. In many cases directional signage will already be in place.
The erection of directional signage to points of interest along the route is a matter for the local authorities.
For the EuroVelo 1 route in Ireland there will soon be a dedicated website where any points of interest along the route in each county can be highlighted. The complete route in Ireland is due to be fully signposted in the coming weeks and is expected to be launched along with the related website before the summer.
In terms of tourism marketing and promotion of the route, Sport Ireland has kept Fáilte Ireland fully informed in terms of the development and roll out of the signage and both agencies are engaging to consider ways to include the cycle route in relevant tourism marketing and promotional initiatives.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (328)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:328. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the dates in 2021 and to date in 2022 on which she spoke formally with each CEO and or chairperson of each State agency under the remit of her Department in tabular form. [11235/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The table below sets out the occasions on which I spoke to the CEO and/or Chairperson of the State Agencies under my remit in 2021 and to date in 2022.
Many of these meetings took place online, in accordance with prevailing restrictions, and others took place as part of a formal launch event or official trip.
|
Agency |
Meetings |
|
Arts Council |
22/12/2021 Director and Chair 11/10/2021 Director 28/01/2021 Director and Chair 24/02/2022 Director and Chair |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
21/04/2021 CEO and Chair 21/04/2021 CEO and Chair 23/07/2021 CEO and Chair |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
12/04/2021 CEO 29/11/2021 CEO 07/12/2021 CEO 21/05/2021 CEO 31/05/2021 CEO 10/06/2021 CEO 08/09/2021 CEO 14/10/2021 CEO 29/11/2021 CEO |
|
Foras na Gaeilge (North-South Body) |
15/12/2021 CEO |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
21/04/2021 CEO |
|
National Concert Hall |
16/06/2021 Chair 19/01/2022 CEO and Chair |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
08/07/2021 Director 10/05/2021 Director and Chair |
|
National Library of Ireland |
09/06/2021 Director 21/01/2021 Director |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
11/07/2021 Director and Chair 24/05/2021 Director and Chair |
|
RTÉ |
22/02/2021 Chair 25/11/2021 Director 26/05/2021 Chair |
|
Screen Ireland |
11/05/2021 Chair and CEO 09/12/2021 Chair 23/02/2022 CEO |
|
Sport Ireland |
22/04/2021 Chair 24/06/2021 CEO and Chair 13/07/2021 Chair 20/07/2021 Chair 28/07/2021 CEO and Chair 20/09/2021 CEO and Chair 29/10/2021 Chair |
|
TG4 |
16/03/2021 Chair 02/11/2021 Chair |
|
Tourism Ireland (North-South Body) |
10/03/2021 CEO 25/03/2021 Meeting CEO 31/03/2021 Meeting CEO 26/06/2021 CEO 30/06/2021 CEO 09/09/2021 UK visit: CEO and Chair 22/09/2021 – 28/09/2021 USA visit CEO 21/10/2021 CEO 01/11/2021 & 02/11/2021 UK visit: CEO and Chair 31/01/2022 CEO 13/02/2022 – 17/02/2022 Tourism Ireland UAE visit: CEO |
|
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
15/12/2021 CEO |
Sports Organisations
Ceisteanna (329)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:329. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there was a merger of associations (details supplied); and if financial support will be provided to help bring about the merger and to promote same. [11308/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Freagraí scríofa
There is a growing momentum towards better integration of the three organisations mentioned by the Deputy and I am aware that they are working on a pathway to amalgamation. I would be very supportive of such moves which reflect much of what is already happening at club level and would further ensure parity of treatment for female players within the Gaelic games family.
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the governance oversight of National Governing Bodies of Sport and the allocation of funding to NGBs under its various programmes. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in this regard. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
Post Office Network
Ceisteanna (330)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:330. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount that went to An Post from television licence fee receipts in 2019, 2020 and 2021. [11323/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, An Post are the designated collection agent for the TV Licence fee. Broadcasting Receipts are comprised of receipts from direct sales by An Post and a contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences issued under the household benefits scheme.
The Broadcasting Act provides for the distribution of licence fee receipts on the following basis:
- commission to An Post in respect of collection;
- 7% of net receipts to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Broadcasting Fund, which supports the Sound and Vision and Archiving Schemes; and
- the balance to RTÉ.
Details of the fees paid to An Post for period in question are set out in the table following.
|
Year |
(€m) |
|
2019 |
€11.38 |
|
2020 |
€10.03 |
|
2021 |
€9.880 |
It should be noted that the annual commission amount is directly related to the total number of TV licences sold.
Environmental Policy
Ceisteanna (331)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:331. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she will take to ensure that Failte Ireland and tourism projects which seek State funding are prioritising reductions in their own carbon emissions including across transport, food miles and energy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11417/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Arts Policy
Ceisteanna (332)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:332. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the efforts she is undertaking to ensure that artists who have been unable to make a living in the arts as a result of mental health pressures including from depression, anxiety or ADHD which impact on their ability to focus on and complete creative projects, are included in the proposed basic income for artists pilot scheme and that the eligibility criteria do not restrict participation to those who are already able to sustain themselves on arts work alone. [11589/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Basic Income for the Arts Pilot scheme will run over a three year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on artists and creatives work patterns by providing the opportunity to participants to focus on their practice, and to minimise the loss of skills from the arts as a result of the pandemic.
Stakeholder engagement has been core to the policy development process and this included a stakeholder forum on 15 December 2021, where over 150 participants from 50 artists and arts workers resource and representative bodies came together to discuss the proposal. This included representatives from disabled artists organisations and disabled artists.
Following that forum, I held a public consultation throughout the month of January. This public consultation closed three weeks ago and my Department received a significant number of submissions, reflecting the high level of interest in this new policy intervention. My officials are currently reviewing the submissions and a report on the consultation is currently being prepared which will be published in the coming weeks.
The scheme will be open to all practicing artists and creative arts workers who can demonstrate their creative practice and will not be restricted to those who can already sustain themselves through their career in the arts.
I believe that the Basic Income for the Arts has the potential to help artists and creative arts workers overcome labour market barriers by developing a self-sustaining creative practice, operating on a self-employed basis.