Offering further insights into Budget 2025 today, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has said that the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme is being allocated €35 million for 2025 – but "a Government decision will be required on the future of the scheme when this three-year pilot comes to an end in 2025."

Launched in 2022, the pilot scheme is examining the impact of a basic income on artists and creative arts workers over a three-year period. Payments of €325 per week are being made to 2,000 eligible artists and creative arts workers, who have been selected at random.

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

"It was essential in my view that this funding was maintained to allow flexibility for a successor support beyond the August expiry of the pilot," the Minister said today, in regards to the scheme's funding in Budget 2025.

"It is the Basic Income for the Arts which is the signature legacy achievement of this Government in arts funding and of which I am most proud," she also stated. "I want to acknowledge the role of the National Campaign for the Arts who again and again have been an effective voice for the sector and tireless advocates for Basic Income."

Minister Catherine Martin at Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme launch at Project Arts Centre in 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

As part of Budget 2025, the Arts Council has been allocated a record funding of €140 million, which 'will enable further investment in programmes for young people and children, as well as additional support for artist, venues, and production companies.'

There has also been increased support for Culture Ireland in the Budget – with €8 million allocated to 'empower more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.'

€40.85 million, meanwhile, is going to Screen Ireland, to 'provide for talent development and retention across the sector, following Ireland’s successes on the global stage over the last year.'

An additional €3.8 million is going to the National Cultural Institutions, 'to enhance their core programme, learning and outreach activities.'

The ongoing development of Ireland's Night-Time Economy is also being supported, with an allocation of €2.5 million.

"This allocation will support the 9 Night-Time Advisors across the country," a statement from the Department reads, "and a new grant scheme to support small, grassroots venues which are so important in generating vibrancy and cultural diversity in our night-time economy."

In additional, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – the country's primary organisation committed to the promotion of Irish music, song and dance – will receive €2 million in capital funding over the next three years, 'for refurbishment of the organisation’s regional and outreach centres.'

Creative Ireland is also receiving further support, 'to underpin the Department’s commitment to building for a better future through supporting participation in creative cultural activity.'