By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press AssociationA scheme offering artists a set weekly income for a three-year period will “set Ireland apart” from other countries in how it values creativity, a minister has said. In 2022, a pilot was launched in Ireland trialling a basic income of €325 for 2,000 artists. Artists applied for the scheme and were assessed for their eligibility before 2,000 were chosen by a randomiser software. In Budget 2026, Minister for Arts and Culture Patrick O’Donovan secured 18.27 million euros in funding to make the scheme permanent. Launching the permanent scheme at Bewley’s Cafe in Dublin city, O’Donovan said the scheme was “a start” that he hoped they could build on.

Source: The Herald February 10, 2026 16:34 UTC