'Ground-breaking' income scheme for artists to be launched before Easter 

Artists chosen for the pilot will be given a basic income for three years

Arts Minister Catherine Martin with, from left, Kieran Hanrahan, chair of Culture Ireland and artistic director of Tradfest; Niamh O’Malley, artist representing Ireland at the Venice Biennale 2022; and Clíodhna Shaffrey, director of Temple Bar Gallery + Studios and curator of Ireland at Venice at the announcement on Wednesday of Ireland’s participation at Venice Biennale 2022. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

A "ground-breaking" scheme to provide artists with a universal basic income is to be launched before Easter.

Arts Minister Catherine Martin has said an announcement on the pilot scheme is "imminent" and those who qualify for the support will begin receiving payments within weeks of this.