Ireland paid artists a basic income and it was a boost for the economy

The Nordic countries have had artist's salaries since the 1950's, many countries have subsidies or funding for various arts on a project by project basis. All considered to be worth more than they cost.

The numbers: >According to an external report from Alma Economics, for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return. An external report found that the pilot program cost €72 million ($84 million) but generated nearly €80 million ($91 million) in total benefits to the Irish economy.

I've always thought the best implementation of UBI would be in not being 'universal', but gatekept on condition of providing a societal benefit. The idea of just receiving 'free money' for doing literally nothing is alien to me.

I wonder how people qualified for the grants, and whether there was any pressure to 'prove worth' while receiving the cash.