Irish government approves Basic Income for the Arts scheme for 2026

The Irish government’s Basic Income for the Arts scheme is set to be permanently implemented next year, with over 2,000 new places to be made available for creative workers under the 2026 Budget. 

Minister of Culture Patrick O'Donovan, who has agreed with other Government departments to expand the scheme. 

Initially launched as a pilot programme in 2022, the Basic Income for the Arts scheme provided support to 2,000 creatives across the country, aiming to support the struggling arts sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The permanent scheme mirrors the pilot programme in terms of scale, with room for expanding to 2,200 participants if funding becomes available. 

Minister of Culture Patrick O’Donovan, who has agreed with other Government departments to expand the scheme, called Basic Income for the Arts “the envy of the world and a tremendous achievement for Ireland, and must be made futureproof and sustainable.” Those eligible will be able to apply for the scheme from September 2026, with successful participants receiving monthly payments comprising €325 a week. You can find out more about the scheme here.

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