Ireland's "Basic Income for Artists" experiment is successful: receiving $1,500 monthly alleviates worries about bread, permanent policy to be implemented next year.

Ireland's Basic Income for the Arts program, executed over the past three years, has achieved good results, and the program aims to institutionalize this basic income initiative, adding empirical cases to the global discussion on basic income. (Background: Lawyer's article on Universal Basic Income (UBI) and Blockchain as a social safety net under the AI wave?) (Supplementary background: Founder Sam Altman personally answers all questions about Worldcoin, can universal basic income be realized?) The Irish government recently announced that the “Basic Income for the Arts” program, originally scheduled to end in 2025, will be included in the 2026 budget, establishing a permanent implementation policy. This decision not only provides a stable support for cultural workers but also adds a rare empirical perspective to the global debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI). Background and decision process According to reports, the BIA program was launched in 2022 and was initially set for three years to observe whether fixed subsidies could enhance creative energy. According to Business Insider, the internal government assessment found that the trial performance exceeded expectations, leading to a decision to institutionalize the policy. Minister of Culture Patrick O'Donovan emphasized that artists are a source of the country's soft power, and stable income allows creators to focus on their work. He pointed out at the press conference: “This program is the envy of the world, a tremendous achievement for Ireland, and must be ensured for sustainability and future prospects.” Maura McGrath, chair of the Arts Council, also stated that the policy provides stability, allowing artists to “develop practices, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to the cultural landscape of Ireland.” Data verification: Well-being and economic growth in sync Government-released surveys show that before the subsidies were introduced, 75% of artists experienced depression or low moods, far higher than the national average of 34%. After receiving subsidies continuously, mental health indicators improved significantly, and creative hours also increased. A research report estimates that for every 1 euro invested, it can bring back 1.39 euros in socio-economic value. Public consultation results also show that 97% of the public supports the continuation of the policy, providing strong social consensus for the government's promotion. Global perspective: New empirical evidence in the UBI debate In the context of rapid advancements in AI and automation, the concept of UBI is increasingly drawing attention. Tech leaders have pointed out multiple times that the future work structure may be reshaped by machines, thereby increasing the risk of unemployment. Ireland's BIA, targeting a small and specific group, provides a window to observe the feasibility of “basic income.” The government plans to expand the application quota in September 2026, possibly increasing it to 2,200 people. Subsequent challenges and key observation points However, even with remarkable results, the long-term sustainability of the policy still faces three challenges: first, whether the continued funding can be balanced with other public expenditures; second, how the qualification determination process can ensure fairness and transparency to avoid marginalizing creators; third, whether it should be replicated for other disadvantaged groups to avoid new resource allocation disputes. These issues will determine whether the BIA can serve as a template for broader basic income programs. Related reports ApeX Protocol launches “Token Buyback Plan”: initially invests 12 million USD plus 50% of protocol revenue, $APEX jumps 32% a16z report: Consumer-grade AI is redefining the enterprise software market, with annual revenue retention exceeding 100% A glimpse at the newly launched Heaven and token $LIGHT: 100% revenue return, can it challenge Pump.fun? This article, titled “Ireland's 'Basic Income for Artists' Experiment Success: Receiving 1500 USD Monthly Eases Bread-Winning Concerns, Transitioning to Permanent Policy Next Year,” was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.