Basic Income for the Arts pilot produced over €100 million in Social and Economic Benefits

Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, 22 September 2025 , Ireland

The findings of this external report from Alma Economics show that the real net fiscal cost of the BIA pilot over the period 2021–2025 was just under €72 million. Audience engagement with the arts generated an estimated €16.9 million in social value over the three pilot years, based on willingness-to-pay estimates for cultural participation. The most substantial social gain came from improvements in psychological wellbeing, contributing almost €80 million to total benefits.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/press-releases/basic-income-for-the-arts-pilot-produced-over-100-million-in-social-and-economic-benefits/

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