Latest news with #BasicIncomefortheArts
Extra.ie
11-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Major row dividing the coalition over income for artists
A major row is simmering in the Coalition over plans to abolish a scheme that provides a guaranteed income for artists. understands that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), led by Fianna Fáil's Jack Chambers, and the Department of Culture, led by Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan, are at loggerheads over plans to scrap the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme. Under the scheme, initiated by former arts minister Catherine Martin, of the Green Party, the State pays €325 a week to around 2,000 artists to address the financial instability faced by many working in the sector. Successful applicants were notified in September 2022 and the pilot runs over three years from 2022 to 2025. Media Minister Catherine Martin was first told of a potential golden handshake to RTÉ's head of content Jim Jennings at the end of May. Extra has learned, however, that the scheme barely escaped the budgetary knife during a DPER review of spending in the Culture Department. As part of the build-up to the revamped National Development Plan (NDP) and Budget 2026 – which the Government has warned will be a difficult one – DPER have been reviewing the spending of all departments. One minister noted: 'It is like a home invasion. They [the DPER] are going through everywhere like a dose of salts; a lot of ministers are feeling very bruised.' This is especially the case within the Department of Culture, where sources told Extra: 'The artists scheme barely survived; the minister had a battle to get a six-month extension.' One senior figure noted: 'The DPER accountants were not impressed. They were using phrases like 'strong reservations' on any future schemes.' A departmental source added: 'The suggestion was made was that it was a measure that doesn't need repeating. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos 'That's civil service speak for taking the scheme to the vets to be put down.' The DPER accountants are believed to have met stern resistance from Minister O'Donovan. One Government figure noted: 'The minister has strong personal views on this: he will not accept losing a penny or a single artist. The minister will react very vigorously to any attempts to trim this scheme.' They added: 'There has been significant research into the operation of this project. There is a comprehensive report. All artists were, as part of the process, questioned over its impact.' One furious senior Fine Gael figure lambasted the move, noting: 'It's politically stupid. You would think we would have far better things to be doing than taking on a few starving artists.' They warned the Government is 'kicking over a whole series of hornets nests' to save money for the budget, alluding to the ongoing row over whether to scrap a €1,000 reduction in student fees that was introduced as a cost-ofliving measure. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. Pic: Fran Veale Another Fine Gael source warned: 'Jack [Chambers] would want to be very careful. 'Culture is a small department but sometimes in these matters it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but rather the size of the fight in the dog that matters, and Patrick likes fighting.' They warned that the Fine Gael TD for Limerick County would not 'tolerate any incursions like this on his patch'. Another Fine Gael source noted: 'It is a classic example of Fianna Fáil knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. 'All these words by Micheál Martin and others about the value of and pride in Irish culture sound very hollow. Pic: Shutterstock 'Pride has to eat, you know.' Responding to queries on the issue, the Department of Public Expenditure said: 'Any matters relating to decisions for Budget 2026, including the below mentioned scheme, will be considered as part of the normal budgetary process.' Given the perceived success of the scheme, Culture Minister Mr O'Donovan received some criticism when he announced a short six-month extension of the current arrangements. Labour arts spokesperson Rob O'Donoghue sharply criticised the scenario where artists had been left with a 'six-month Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads'. Pic: Shutterstock Mr O'Donovan has already signalled that he expects a full renewal of the scheme in Budget 2026, noting at the announcement of the six-month extension of the current scheme: 'I intend to bring proposals for a successor scheme to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026.' He added: 'The extension I am announcing today will provide time to finalise the research programme and to undertake stakeholder engagement, which will provide the Government with a comprehensive evidence base upon which to base future policy decisions about the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA).' Mr O'Donovan added that evidence collected to date indicates 'the BIA payment is having a consistent positive impact across almost all indicators'. Cairn Community Games ambassador Jack Woolley with children Helena Casey and Joseph Farrell at the launch of Cairn Community Games in the Gate Theatre. Pic: Julien Behal He said artists in receipt of the support are typically able to 'devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction, experience reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support'. The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme was launched in 2022 with two funding streams: one for newly qualified artists and one for more established ones. Some 2,000 eligible applicants were chosen through random selection, having met the criteria. No means test was applied to applicants.
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Revealed: How much we spend on concerts each year and the time we dedicate each day to listening to music
Almost half find accommodation costs prohibitive, while travel difficulties, accessibility, and obligations like childcare also present issues, new research from the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has found. The average adult spends almost €1,000 a year on music-related products and services. The annual spend on tickets for gigs amounts to €757, while Irish adults also spend around €172 on average for music streaming each year. Most people listen to 84 minutes of music each day, while 43pc of the population listens to just 26 minutes. Almost 30pc of people listen to more than two hours of music each day, with those 'high listeners' spending an average of €219 on music streaming services each year. Over half of the population subscribes to services such as Spotify, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music to amount to an annual spend of €375m, with Spotify holding the largest market share. Artists have raised concerns about the 'uneven distribution of revenue in streaming – where artists and songwriters receive a disproportionately low share' and the organisation has called on the Government to 'better nurture' the industry. The 2025 IMRO Ireland Music Report found just 43pc of those working in the music sector hold full-time positions, with 68pc of members supplementing their income through jobs outside the industry. The report notes that while the music industry generates €1bn annually, many Irish artists struggle to make a living as their annual income is almost 40pc lower than the national average. While the average annual income for all sectors is €46,567, those working in the arts, entertainment, and other service activities earn an average of €28,123. Half of IMRO members saw no change in their income over the last year and 29pc experienced a decline, with 45pc feeling financial pressure. One sector leader, who is quoted in the report, said: 'If you compare it to the independent Irish film industry, that has seen a really good growth trajectory... there's been a lot of investment in Screen Ireland. But the music industry is definitely struggling.' The report, which was compiled by Core Research, calls on the Government to implement a number of measures to better support the industry. It calls for the Basic Income for the Arts scheme to be put on 'permanent footing', the application of financial strategies that would strengthen the sector and the implementation AI legislation and regulations. Labour TD Alan Kelly, the chair of the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, said the report demonstrates 'Irish people's passion for music' but also serves as 'a timely reminder that passion alone cannot sustain a career in music'. 'Too many of our artists and songwriters are grappling with financial insecurity, exacerbated by the unfair distribution of streaming revenues and the growing challenges posed by AI. Government must take these findings seriously.'
The Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Ireland should imitate South Korea's K-pop success with music industry supports, IMRO says
IRELAND SHOULD TAKE inspiration from South Korea and develop structures to support the music industry similar to those that have led to K-pop's worldwide popularity, the Irish Music Rights Organisation has recommended. IMRO published a report on wide-ranging research into the Irish music industry today that shows the sector contributes €1 billion to the economy every year. Despite this, it also found that artists are struggling to work in the industry full-time, face financial precarity if they do, and often supplement their incomes by working in other sectors. The Irish music industry employs an estimated 13,400 people directly, but only 43% of those work in the sector full-time. The majority work part-time or supplement their income with other work, the research found. 'In fact, around 68% of IMRO members rely on additional sectors to sustain their careers, reflecting the widespread dependency on external income sources,' the report said. Employment within the music industry also tends to fluctuate with seasonal opportunities, especially during the summer months when most music festivals take place, IMRO said. People commonly find other sources of income in teaching, information and communication, and administration. IMRO said that other sectors provide financial stability, 'often offering higher-than-average wages compared to the music industry'. Among the recommendations that accompanied the research results was that the government support and promote musicians the way it has done with the Irish film industry, which has produced significant results in the form of international awards and production activity in Ireland. This could be done, IMRO suggested, by amending the Section 481 tax credit available to people in the film industry to include those who work in the music sector. That would 'introduce specific tax incentives for using Irish music within audiovisual productions,' IMRO said. Advertisement Another suggestion in the same vein is to establish a system like that found in South Korea. IMRO said that while Ireland is successful in cultivating grassroots and independent talent, it is 'seen to lack the level of state intervention and global marketing machinery seen in the likes of South Korea, where K-pop's global success is underpinned by systematic training programmes, high-budget productions, and strategic marketing'. Another significant and related challenge faced by musicians is the enormous disparity in the distribution of revenue garnered by streaming services like Spotify. IMRO noted that while digital platforms have helped artists when it comes to access and visibility, 'they have exacerbated income disparities, leaving many creators under-compensated'. 'Policies, grants, and innovative revenue models are needed to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports artists at all levels,' IMRO said. The report also recommended making the Basic Income for the Arts scheme, which has been piloted in parts of the country, a permanent fixture. It also recommended 'increasing access to project-based funding, and fostering opportunities for income generation through touring support, international showcasing, and professional development initiatives'. Another issue facing people in the industry is the development of generative AI models that can create music. Those models threaten musicians in two main ways – competition and plagiarism. Fair AI legislation and regulations to protect the music industry are what is needed, IMRO said. This should be done 'by fully implementing the EU AI Act to ensure platforms conform to their transparency obligations and that a regulated market is maintained for the licensing of existing copyright works', it recommended. Labour TD Alan Kelly, who serves as Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, said that while the research shows the benefits the music industry brings to the economy, it 'also serves as a timely reminder that passion alone cannot sustain a career in music'. 'Too many of our artists and songwriters are grappling with financial insecurity, exacerbated by the unfair distribution of streaming revenues and the growing challenges posed by AI. 'Government must take these findings seriously.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Music industry contributes €1bn to Irish economy
The Irish music industry contributes €1 billion annually to the Irish economy, according to a new report published today by IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation). The report also states however, that despite the significant levels of interest and spending on music in Ireland, the dream of becoming a professional musician "remains out of the reach of many." In 'Music report 2025', IMRO found that live events (gigs and festivals) dominate consumer expenditure, generating €786 million annually. The research states that concerts in high-capacity venues account for the largest share at €298 million, while the average spend on music festivals is €194 million. IMRO Chairperson and singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy said that "at the heart of this report is a clear truth: Irish people don't just enjoy music - they live it." However, Ms McEvoy also pointed out IMRO's view that there is a need to ensure that musicians are "fairly compensated in the streaming economy", protected from emerging risks such as "unregulated AI," and supported through initiatives like Basic Income for the Arts and Section 481 reforms. The report provides information on consumer spending on streaming services, stating that the spend reached €375m in 2024 with 53% of adults subscribing to services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. Spotify is the most popular streaming service the research found. The report also states that the average adult spends approximately €1,000 per year on music related products and services, with a spend of €757 per year on music events. The balance is spent on streaming, merchandise, and other music related products including physical media such as vinyl and CDs. This new research states that the Irish music industry employs over 13,400 people, however it warns that the work is "seasonal" and not a full time job. Concerns were raised at the cost of accessing music experiences, with two thirds of adults flagging the cost of tickets as the main barrier to attending gigs and almost half (49%) highlighting accommodation costs as another issue facing fans going to music events. IMRO highlights the organisation's concerns that despite significant consumer spending, many Irish artists struggle to make a living as annual income for full time music professionals is almost 40% lower than national average. The members are calling for better financial support and robust protections for music creators, including fair remuneration and safeguards against the "misuse of AI". Among the recommendations listed in the report, IMRO is seeking "specific tax incentives for using Irish music within Audiovisual productions", and continuation of support for Ireland's grassroots music venues. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Media Alan Kelly launched the report and said that while he welcomes the findings, the report serves as a timely reminder that "passion alone" cannot sustain a career in music, adding that too many artists and songwriters are grappling with "financial insecurity," exacerbated by the unfair distribution of streaming revenues and the "growing challenges posed by AI". Deputy Kelly also said that "Government must take these findings seriously." IMRO was set up to administer the performing right in copyright music on behalf of its members (songwriters, composers and music publishers) and on behalf of members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it.
Extra.ie
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Lack of accountability means artist supports are 'a slush fund'
The lack of accountability when it comes to artists' basic income means the scheme has turned into a Government slush fund, a TD has claimed. Carol Nolan was commenting on the response by Arts Minister Patrick O'Donovan to queries about the initiative. Mr Donovan said: 'The current pilot scheme costs approximately €35million per year, based on 2,000 recipients receiving €325 weekly. ' The lack of accountability when it comes to artists' basic income means the scheme has turned into a Government slush fund, a TD has claimed. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos The net cost is likely to be less, given the high number of BIA [Basic Income for the Arts] recipients who were previously on social welfare supports prior to the BIA.' Mr O'Donovan also said 'evaluation of the pilot is continuous, as participants complete a survey every six months'. He said: 'My department is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. A further interview research paper, written by an independent researcher, was published recently. Carol Nolan was commenting on the response by Arts Minister Patrick O'Donovan to queries about the initiative. Pic: Collins 'This paper collects the experiences of 50 BIA recipients, who have been interviewed by a sociologist.' Ms Nolan called the response 'almost absurdly laughable'. She said: 'It is clearly stated in the reply provided to me that the evaluation of the pilot is continuous because participants complete a survey every six months.' The Independent TD asked: 'Does the department really think this is what robust evaluation looks like [and] does it believe that a slush fund that has cost €100million to date is going to be criticised by the very same people on the receiving end of that cash?' Ms Nolan accused Fine Gael TD Mr O'Donovan of implementing outdated Green Party ideology, as it was imple – mented by former arts minister Catherine Martin, adding: 'The entire scheme just reeks of that particular form of cultural entitlement to vast sums of public monies that is particularly pervasive in the likes of RTÉ where control of publicly financed spending is way down the list of priorities.'
