The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, has announced a six-month extension to the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme for those who are currently participating in the scheme.

The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme aims to support the arts and creative practice by giving a payment of €325 a week to artists and creative arts workers.

The main objective of the scheme is to address the financial instability faced by many working in the arts.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:

“The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. In order to allow for the preparation of proposals for a new scheme, based on the research and consultation with the sector, I am today announcing a six-month extension of the current scheme. I fully appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists and am glad to be able to bring some certainty to those currently on the scheme.”

Read the government press release here.