Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
107. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work his Department is carrying out to address precarious work conditions for PhD researchers and early year academics; if he has engaged with some of the representative groups in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26710/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question. The quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system and its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad. My Department last November initiated an independent National Review of State Supports for Ph.D. Researchers under the co-chairs Dr. Andrea Johnson and David Cagney. The Review Terms of Reference cover: Current financial supports for PhD researchers; The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements; The status of PhD researchers (employee/ student), including a review of international comparators; Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports; Graduate outcomes, including return on investment; Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students. The Co-Chairs have now submitted their first report following a very comprehensive round of stakeholder consultations and online submissions, with 35 stakeholder meetings held and over 750 written submissions received. This report will be presented to Government in advance of publication. Any decision that I will make on measures to support Ph.D. researchers will be informed by the outcome of this Review. Under Pillar 4 of our national research and innovation strategy, Impact 2030, we have committed to ensuring that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum contribution, whether in academia, industry, the public sector, or elsewhere. We have also committed to fostering a consistent research student experience, across funders, institutions, and research disciplines. The Department continues to engage with representative bodies of the Higher Education Institutes and the Universities advise they are committed to providing stable and fulfilling employment and career opportunities, and successfully balancing this objective alongside maintaining the necessary flexibility required by operational needs. On this point, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken by Department officials to develop a revised staffing framework for the sector to replace the current Employment Control Framework and support workforce planning by higher education institutions. This is being advanced in consultation with the Higher Education Authority. There have also been preliminary engagements with DPENDPR in advance of tabling a comprehensive proposal, as any new framework will require approval by that Department.
