Government Ministers will be asked to approve the creation of regional health areas this morning, in a major reform for the health service.

Meanwhile, artists are set to get a guaranteed monthly income from the Government under a new scheme.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet this morning saying the new regional healthcare model will be phased in from the start of next year, being fully operational by 2024.

The aim is to provide care at a regional level with all needed services able to communicate better with each other based on geography rather than the current structure.

Decision-making will be devolved to the regions which must generally follow national policy.

Minister Donnelly is expected to tell his colleagues the six regional areas will be supported by a lean HSE centre with less management and bureaucracy.

Separately Arts Minister Catherine Martin will bring plans to Cabinet for a pilot basic income scheme for the arts.

The scheme would give roughly 2,000 artists a guaranteed monthly income for a period of three years, allowing them more time to focus on their craft.

It's been described as a ground-breaking move within Government.

The €25m scheme was a recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, suggesting it involved a weekly payment of €325.