Donegal County Council supports basic income for artists scheme in Budget 2026

Donegal County Council will write to government ministers calling on the Basic Income for the Arts Scheme to be included in Budget 2026.

The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme was introduced in 2022 by former Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin from the Green Party. Under the pilot scheme, 2,000 artists who were randomly chosen to take part received a fixed weekly income of €325 per week.

Originally set to conclude in August 2025, the pilot scheme has been extended until February 2026 by current Minister Patrick O’Donovan.

The National Campaign for the Arts Constituency Coordinators launched a call for local TDs and councillors to support their campaign to retain, extend and expand the scheme in the upcoming budget.

At the September plenary meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr Declan Meehan of Letterkenny-Milford MD called on the council to support the scheme.

The independent councillor asked: "That Donegal County Council calls on the Government to ensure the continuation and expansion of the Basic Income for the Arts Scheme as part of Budget 2026, recognising the vital contribution of artists and arts workers to our cultural, social, and economic life here in Donegal, as well as nationally. 

“Further, that this Council writes to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers TD, urging them to provide for sustained funding for a Basic Income for Artists scheme in Budget 2026, and to ensure its accessibility and fairness for artists across all disciplines and regions, including those living and working in rural counties like Donegal.

“This scheme has had an enormously positive impact, both on artists themselves but also in their creative and economic output.

“There was a cost-benefit analysis published just last week and it found that for every euro that the government was investing in this scheme, society was getting €1.39 back in return. The original budget for it was around €105 million and when everything was taken into account, including welfare savings and increased tax revenues, it was actually coming in at under €72 million.

“In addition, there’s a huge increase in participants’ mental wellbeing because of the financial burdens being taken off them. It allows them to focus on creating for society and for communities and that has an enormous benefit for communities and the artists themselves.

“It has been very successful and I know that for the artists who participated in this scheme, particularly in Donegal, it has had a major impact and a positive boost for the creative and artistic scene in our county. 

“It’s not a perfect scheme. One of the issues that has been highlighted from some participants is better access for people who have disabilities, particularly how it interferes with disability allowance. That needs to be addressed.”

Cllr Joy Beard of the 100% Redress Party seconded the motion. She said: “The three-year pilot has been proven to be worth it.

“This isn’t just about sustaining artists, it’s about strengthening communities, boosting local economies, and also protecting our cultural identity. Donegal has a proud and vibrant arts community and by supporting this motion, we send a clear message that Donegal County Council values our arts and recognises their social and economic importance.”

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Mr Patsy Lafferty, Director of Housing, Corporate & Cultural Services, said that the council would write to the relevant ministers as the motion was passed.