New Basic Income for the Arts Scheme Criticized for Restricting Disabled Artists
Ireland's Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) scheme is becoming permanent, but the new version faces criticism for being more restrictive and potentially disadvantaging disabled artists. Concerns include the impact of BIA payments on disability allowances and the stress of new annual audits. Departments involved state they engaged with disability groups and clarified income thresholds for recipients.
The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) scheme, which provided 2,000 artists €325 weekly from September 2022 to February 2026, is becoming permanent with a successor scheme running from 2026 to 2029. Applications for the new scheme opened last week.
Writer and disability advocate Aoife Ó Ceallacháin, a member of Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics (Dada), expressed concern that the new scheme is more restrictive and favors already successful artists, potentially reinforcing inequalities. A key criticism of the pilot was its accessibility for artists with disabilities, as the BIA payment, treated as self-employment earnings, could impact medical cards and other allowances. Research from the pilot found some disabled recipients experienced reductions in medical and disability support.
Emilie Conway, a Dada founder, highlighted the “precarity squared” faced by disabled artists due to both disability and the unpredictable nature of the arts sector. She also noted accessibility issues in training and venues. The new scheme introduces annual audits and comprehensive surveys to verify eligibility and artistic output, with failure resulting in removal and potential repayment. While this addresses previous concerns about accountability, Conway fears it adds stress for disabled artists who may experience periods of illness affecting their output.
The Department of Culture stated it engaged with disability groups during the scheme's development. The Department of Social Protection noted that disability allowance recipients receiving BIA, without other income, could see an overall income increase of €252.50 per week and can earn up to €165 a week while retaining full payment, or up to €527.60 a week for minimum payment and secondary supports.