Ireland – The artist welfare scheme allowed participants to focus on their artistic output for up to a year without having to engage in the regular meetings, courses and training. In order to apply they had to satisfy the qualifying conditions and a means test. They had to be registered as self-employed with the Irish Revenue Commissioners with at least 50% of their income derived from their art in the previous year, and they had to provide a certificate from their professional body as to their status as a professional artist. More than 100 visual artists and writers took part.
