Dec 24, 2024
Oct 09,2024
This afternoon, Minister Catherine Martin addressed a number of questions and issues at the Deprtment of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media briefing in relation to the Budget announced this week.
During the briefing she addressed her department's ongoing commitment to the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme, which was originally rolled out until August 2025.
She confirmed that the department is committed to providing a further allocation of €35 million for the continuation of the fund through 2025.
The Minister explained that she has always been clear that she believes that the scheme is important, and that this funding decision makes the BIA 'as safe as possible' and gives the next government the flexibility to progress the scheme.
The minister added that 'it is the Basic Income for the Arts which is the signature legacy achievement of this government in arts funding''.
The Basic Income for the Arts pilot, launched in 2022, has maintained its funding of €35m in 2025.
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) October 2, 2024
This allows flexibility for government support beyond the August expiry of the pilot.
It was a priority for me to give the next government the flexibility to extend and expand it pic.twitter.com/lRHPQwvHpE
The minister also talked about the Budget allocations that target supports for the commercial media sector.
She discussed the announcement of a fund of €6 million for commercial radio and TV news and current affairs content in more detail.
Minister Martin explained that as the funding will be managed through the Sound and Vision scheme, it will require legislative changes as news and current affairs has not been included in that scheme before.
In terms of TG4's funding, the minister said that its total funding has been increased to €60 million, a total increase of almost €23 million or 61% since 2020.
We acknowledge Minister @cathmartingreen's #Budget2025 announcement of €140m in funding and appreciate her continued support of the arts.
— The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon (@artscouncil_ie) October 1, 2024
Research shows further investment is required to address pressure points and we'll continue to work towards this.https://t.co/WXQJXfI33p pic.twitter.com/Uz06jSgiVK
Meanwhile the Arts Council yesterday indicated disappointment with their allocation of €140 million from the Budget, as it had been lobbying for an increase to €160 million.
