Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
101. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking to financially support those undertaking PHD studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59309/22]
View answerAs is clear from the actions already taken in Budget 2023, the Government is committed to improving the position of those on PhD stipends, in the context of the resources available and competing needs.
With that in mind, as an immediate and tangible relief against the challenges of the rising cost of living, I was pleased to introduce:
- a once off payment in 2022 of €500 for PhD students who receive an IRC or SFI award.
- a €500 increase to the stipend baseline in 2023 for PhD students who receive an IRC or SFI award.
PhD students may also, in certain circumstances, qualify for support from SUSI.
In my first budget as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, I increased the IRC Stipend from €16,000 per annum to €18,500, matching that of SFI. However, I believe that a more fundamental look at stipends and other associated issues is merited at this stage.
My Department will soon begin a national review of State supports for PhD researchers, and plans to have a report completed in early 2023. In this regard, I was pleased to recently appoint Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney as Co-Chairs for the review. I look forward to the completion of this review and the opportunity it will provide to give comprehensive consideration to the current supports for PhD students.
