A report which is due to be published later today suggests that the Basic Income scheme for those working in the arts has had a positive effect so far.
Since October 2022, payments of €325 per week have been made to up to 2,000 artists and creative arts workers.
The report found that recipients of the scheme spent eight hours a week extra on their art, and they worked fewer hours outside the arts sector to support themselves.
They were also in a better position to make ends meet financially.
Mayo-based artist Tom Meskill has been receiving payments under the scheme.
He told RTÉ News: “It has changed my family life. I can now say no to projects that are not suited to me – so that I can focus more on my own practice and my own work.”
Minister for Arts and Culture Catherine Martin is due to launch the report this morning.
She is expected to say that the scheme is clearly having an impact, and that she would like it to be extended to more artists.
Ms Martin is also expected to say that “this is a once-in-a-generation policy intervention that has the potential to transform the lives of artists”.
The scheme was the main recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce which was established to examine how the sector could recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
