The Daily Populous Sunday October 19th, 2025 evening edition
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Ireland first launched a three-year basic income experiment in 2022. Now it plans to make it permanent.

Ireland first launched a three-year basic income experiment in 2022. Now it plans to make it permanent. mrs/Getty Images

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As Ireland's $1,500-a-month basic income pilot program for creatives nears its end in February, officials have to answer a simple question: Is it worth it?

With four months to go, they say the answer is yes.

Earlier this month, Ireland's government announced its 2026 budget, which includes "a successor to the pilot Basic Income Scheme for the Arts to begin next year" among its expenditures.

Ireland is just one of many places experimenting with guaranteed basic income programs, which provide recurring, unrestricted payments to people in a certain demographic. These programs differ from a universal basic income, which would provide payments for an entire population.

Basic income programs of all kinds have been around for a long time, but have seen renewed interest since the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of the AI revolution. Some of the world's top AI leaders have called for such programs to alleviate the loss of income in the future if the technology ousts humans from their jobs.

Ireland first launched its basic income pilot program in 2022, when some 2,000 artists began receiving a weekly stipend of €325, or about $370. Although officials initially scheduled the pilot program to end this August, Patrick O'Donovan, the minister for culture, communications, and sport in Ireland, extended it to February 2026.

Citizens who participated in the pilot program said the payments improved their daily lives. A report published by Ireland's government in May said the payments reduced financial stress, allowed for professional growth, and boosted mental health.

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A government press release this month said the 2026 budget would include a provision to make the country's Basic Income for the Arts pilot permanent in 2026.

"The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, which I extended this year, will end in 2026, and I will bring a successor scheme to Government with the intention of embedding a permanent basic income in the Arts and Culture sector," O'Donovan said. "This scheme is the envy of the world, and a tremendous achievement for Ireland, and must be made futureproof and sustainable."

Maura McGrath, chair of the Arts Council in Ireland, praised the decision in a statement.

"The Arts Council particularly welcomes the continued investment in the Basic Income for the Arts, which provides artists with the stability to develop their practice, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to Ireland's cultural landscape," McGrath said. "We are ambitious for the arts sector and will continue to work with Minister O'Donovan and our Department colleagues advising on the optimisation of opportunities for artists, arts workers and audiences."

ThreeTreesForTheePls on October 19th, 2025 at 01:42 UTC »

I have more details as an Irishman if you want them:

There is a process you go through for it. It typically involves either a degree in arts, or a semi-professional / high end hobbyist with proof having a life within the arts. This could be going to evening classes, being involved in local art groups, working on community projects etc.

(edit: when I say you need proof of working locally and whatnot, the proof is not your statement of it, it will be a reference you give of the organiser/attendees if you host it etc. it is not “I did a group painting session last week, give me money please”.)

So if you looked at this and assumed people will just wake up tomorrow and call themselves an artist, they have already planned for that too.

It’s also worth noting that €320 a week in Dublin is not the kind of money you can survive on. Rent for a single room within someone else’s house will range from 1150-1600, then around 1650-2000 for a one bedroom apartment for yourself.

The project exists to support, but not fully hold up artists. But with the unstoppable avalanche that is AI art, I really do appreciate their attempt here at ensuring artists continue to exist, and it is one of the very, very few government programs that I am proud of.

carmex2121 on October 19th, 2025 at 01:20 UTC »

How does one get recognized as an artist

TotalEmployment9996 on October 19th, 2025 at 01:08 UTC »

I’m somewhat of an artist myself