Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
110. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends in Budget 2024 to ensure that all PhD researchers receive a stipend of at least the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26743/23]
View answer134. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that a living wage is provided to all PhD workers and to end precarity for academic workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 134 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for this question.
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. As part of this commitment, I announced a national review of State supports for PhD researchers. I was pleased to appoint Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney as Co-Chairs for the review. 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. The Co-Chairs have indicated that further work and engagement is required with respect to some aspects of the terms of reference. Following consideration by myself and my officials and, where relevant, other departments, this report will be presented to Government in advance of publication. Any decision that I will make on measures to support PhD researchers will be informed by the outcome of this Review and, where additional expenditure arises, the annual Budgetary process.
In relation to the wider issue of precarity for academic workers, my Department continues to engage with representative bodies of the Higher Education Institutes and the Universities who advise that they are committed to providing stable and fulfilling employment and career opportunities, and successfully balance this objective alongside maintaining the necessary flexibility required by its operational needs. On this point, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken by my 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 the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform (DPENDPR) in advance of tabling a comprehensive proposal, as any new framework will require approval by that Department.
