Green Party welcomes Basic Income for Arts report and calls on Govt. to make scheme permanent in Budget 2026

The Green Party welcomes the publication of another report highlighting the positive outcomes of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot, and is again calling for the Government to do the right thing and place the scheme on a permanent footing in Budget 2026.

The Green Party previously called on Minister O'Donovan to offer certainty to existing participants on the scheme on foot of the extension of the scheme for six months in June 2025.

Green Party Spokesperson for the Arts, Cllr. Donna Cooney said:

"While this cost-benefit analysis clearly shows the positive return on investment for the State with €1.39 returned for every €1 spent, the improvements in psychological wellbeing for female participants is particularly encouraging. We must do everything we can to encourage participation from all backgrounds in the arts, with this analysis clearly showing that a permanent programme would reduce the risks of choosing an artistic career and lowering barriers for those coming from less affluent backgrounds."

Green Party Leader Roderic O'Gorman TD added:

"The Green Party is delighted to see another positive report highlighting the hugely successful outcomes of the BIA pilot. This scheme has been truly world-leading in demonstrating positive outcomes for participants, for wider society with cultural impact, and now with value for money for the Exchequer.  I believe there is now a strong basis for this pilot to be mainstreamed into a permanent measure in Budget 2026, and would place Ireland at the forefront in supporting our artists who provide so much value to our cultural fabric."

Senator Malcolm Noonan concluded:

"We now have overwhelming evidence from a series of internal and external reports, including this cost-benefit analysis, that the BIA should now be placed on a permanent fiscal footing in the upcoming Budget. BIA is proven to increase artists arts-related income, reduce their reliance on social welfare, and improve their productivity and contribution to cultural life. Minister O'Donovan needs to place a permanent BIA at the top of his list of priorities in his budgetary discussions with Ministers Donohue and Chambers."