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Third Level Costs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

Questions (454)

Paul Murphy

Question:

454. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated annual cost of paying all postgraduate workers in Irish third-level institutions a minimum living wage of €15 an hour. [44631/21]

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Written answers

Postgraduate programmes are comprised of a range of elements designed to further the training and development of students. In particular PhD students, in addition to conducting research, participate in other activities to develop generic and transferable skills. These activities are regarded as an integral part of the training, and typically include a teaching contribution. Development of these skills is important in equipping postgraduate students for their future careers, including for academic positions.

A range of activities can be included under the teaching contribution, such as taking tutorial groups, demonstrating at practical classes, co-supervising undergraduate projects and student mentoring. Hours may be included that are spent in class preparation, advising, monitoring student projects, and correcting projects, notebooks or essays and will vary according to School/Discipline. PhD students may contribute to teaching, often at a level of up to 120-150 hours per year over the course of their studies.

While contributing to teaching can be an integral part of the training of a research Master’s or PhD student, the core component of research programmes across all higher education institutions is the advancement of knowledge through original research, which must remain the primary focus of the activity of research students.

The delivery of teaching duties by graduate students in a higher education institution is a matter for the institution concerned reflecting their independent self-governed status. It is important that the allocation and conduct of such work is undertaken in accordance with the objectives of the National Framework for Doctoral Education and the PhD Graduate Skills Statement in enabling the development of key skills and competencies for postgraduate students.

In the academic year 2020/21, there were some 7,938 full time PhD students enrolled. There were also 1,352 full time Research Masters students enrolled. In total, there were 30,059 full time postgraduate students enrolled in the academic year 2020-2021. In addition, there are also part-time students enrolled in these categories.

In relation to PhD students, a number would be in receipt of grants from research funders, a number would be receiving institutional or other scholarships, while others would be self-funded. Initial information gathered by my Department suggests variability across the sector on the scale of teaching duties undertaken by PhD students, and the terms that apply to such duties.

I do not have full information on the hours involved by the PhD students in these activities to determine the basis upon which to make an estimate taking all of these factors into account.

Officials in my Department together with the Irish Universities Association and Technological Higher Education Association are undertaking further examination of issues in relation to teaching duties of PhD students, including looking at international practice, in conjunction with members of the National Advisory Forum for Ireland’s Framework for Doctoral Education.

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