Cabinet to sign off on universal basic wage scheme for artists Political Correspondent

CABINET is expected to sign off on a new pilot scheme today which will provide thousands of artists with a universal basic wage.

Arts Minister Catherine Martin will bring forward the basic income guarantee scheme, under which 2,000 artists and creative arts workers will receive approximately €325 per week for the next three years.

It’s understood the scheme will be launched by Ms Martin and Tánaiste Leo Varadkar following the morning meeting with their Cabinet colleagues.

Once applications open to take part in the pilot, artists who are successful are expected to receive their first payment within weeks. Ms Martin recently described the pilot scheme as a ‘groundbreaking’ move for Irish artists.

She said the basic income for artists is about ‘looking to the future’ for the Irish arts industry.

The minister added: ‘We have consulted very closely with the stakeholders on this, with an online consultation forum in December.

‘Then there was a public consultation that received over 1,200 submissions, which shows the extent of the interest.

‘Indeed, it received a lot of international attention as well because it is a groundbreaking support, but so well deserved. I’ve said so many times I just think we’ve been a nation who talk a lot about value in the arts, but this is our opportunity to actually show it and to be more active on it.’

Ms Martin acknowledged the hit those working in the arts sector took due to lockdowns over the past two years.

She said: ‘There’s no doubt the arts sector took a brutal hit in the pandemic, and now is about their revival.’

Ms Martin secured €25million for the scheme in Budget 2022.

In 2020, due to the Covid pandemic restrictions, just 15% of artists could top up their wage with additional work, while just 44% of these workers were eligible for PUP.