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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