Ireland to trial basic income for artists

The Irish Government will pilot a guaranteed basic income for artists as part of its economic recovery plan.

The three year trial of the scheme is expected to cost €27.4m a year and could start as early as January 2022.

Minister for Culture Catherine Martin said she will develop a proposal for the trial by July, as well as a cross-department oversight committee.

The National Campaign for the Arts has researched and lobbied for the pilot scheme for five years and says it is delighted the pilot has been greenlighted.

It will deliver a presentation to the committee suggesting income is set at €327 per week.