There is “enormous distress” among current recipients of the pilot Basic Income for Arts (BIA) programme following the announcement of the new scheme, artists have said. The successor scheme to the BIA pilot scheme was announced on Tuesday. It will see 2,000 eligible artists selected to receive the payment of €325 per week. The new scheme will operate in three-year cycles with artists being eligible for every three out of six years. In a statement, BIA Artist’s Alliance said they have come to rely on and “build our lives around” the scheme.

Source: The Irish Times February 10, 2026 21:40 UTC