Irish here. It's a cultural thing. Ireland is the only country in the world whose national symbol is a musical instrument.

Art is seen as a worthwhile endeavour even if it can't necessarily support itself as a private endeavour. It's for the same reason galleries and museums are subsidised by the government.

Anyone can call themselves an artist but to receive this money you would have to have a portfolio of work that is approved by the application programme.

Ireland already has a competitive economy. There is more to a country than economics and that includes promoting things like art to foster a sense of identity and promote Ireland on a world stage.

Milton Friedman wouldn't approve and we're okay with that.

It's not like Ireland is getting rid of unemployment insurance. And insurance sales and carpet installation are professions where there are jobs that actually pay a living wage.

A lot of societies have realized there is value in supporting art and culture. For thousands of years that activity was sponsored by monarchs, royalty and other nobility. Up until actually quite recently, most first world countries without monarchs and nobles also provided substantial support for the arts.

Because people hardly pay for art, yet many consider it worth keeping the arts alive.

If you find yourself alone in an Island, who would you want with you among the trades you listed?

I suspect it's a mix of trying to keep the arts (including music) alive, especially with all the big streaming services taking what would have been some of their profits in the past and - the likes of sales people don't directly do good for society (or at least, not all/most of them) - the world has more than enough sales people trying to get people to spend money, where as there's good research to show the value of investing in the arts.

They should get basic income too, good idea

A single well made piece of art can have a profound impact on society for generations. A well laid carpet is... Just a well laid carpet.

I understand your perspective. However, those trades, and most work in general, differ from art. Art is vital to our society, yet the current reward system optimizes for the worst art and the worst people.

We need more art that pushes boundaries and remains controversial. Instead, we favor the type of artist who attracts the most attention through their personality, whether because of their looks or a manufactured edgy image, while producing mundane, lowest-common-denominator work. We must support contemporary artists who move us forward rather than remaining stuck in popularity contests or constant nostalgia.

Under the current system, it is almost inevitable that influencers use their status to promote gambling ads and NFTs, ruining the lives of their fans. We need to break this cycle of rewarding increasingly poor behavior while making it harder for independent artists to earn a living.

Unemployed artist still make art

These guys are less stubborn when it comes to ruining your life for some vision?

Agreed. Can just all myself an artist to get other people's tax money?

Now look at them yo-yos,

that's the way you do it

You play the guitar on the MTV

That ain't workin',

that's the way you do it

Money for nothin'

and your chicks for free

We got to install microwave ovens,

custom kitchen delivery

We got to move these refrigerators,

we got to move these Color TVs...

Dire Straits, Money for Nothing, 1985

Guest artist: Sting

https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Dire-Straits/Money-for-Not...

Because any modern unemployment insurance program (which Ireland has) will be a percentage based on salary. Struggling artist aren't exactly making regular money like a formerly employed salesperson or carpet installer would be.

>I don’t get it.

Your bio says:

> I'm not trolling. I actually want to know the answer, although my comment may feel less than diplomatic.

And so here is the real test. After reading the numerous responses to your question, do you get it?

What kind of undervalued labor do unemployed salespeople and carpet installers perform during unemployment?

they do deserve, but looks like this is a pilot for UBI.

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Anyone can become an artist with no skill and minimal effort while being a carpet installer requires skill and effort. If you are a carpet installer just call it art and get the money