It seems there are 2000 positions and 8000 applicants. The program cost $74M, but more than paid for itself:

> It also recouped more than the trial's net cost of 72 million euros ($86 million) through increases in arts-related expenditure, productivity gains and reduced reliance on other social welfare payments, according to a government-commissioned cost-benefit analysis.

It’s also not permanent. It’s for three years and then once off one can’t apply to the program for another three years.

Reminds me of the WPA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Art_Project

They were wise to limit it, otherwise Ireland would see an unprecidented rise in the number of artists in its population.