Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1443. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a copy of Departmental notes and/or briefings provided to the Chairs of the National Review of State Supports for PhD researchers as referred to on p.32 of the report, where Chairs acknowledge "evidence synthesis support from D/FHERIS colleagues". [36747/23]
View answerIn November 2022, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, appointed Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This reflects the objective, under the dedicated Talent Pillar of Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, for a consistent research student experience across funders, institutions and research disciplines.
The Review Terms of Reference comprise examination of:
- 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, recently submitted their first report to the Minister. This was brought to Cabinet on Tuesday 20 June for information and was published on the Department’s web site on Monday 26 June.
Their recommendations were based on extensive consultation in spring 2023, with over 750 written submissions received and meetings held with 35 stakeholder organisations.
The evidence synthesis underpinning the Co-Chairs' recommendations is reflected in the published report, for example, under Section 2.4 on International Comparators, Section 4.1 on Financial Supports, Section 5.1 on Graduate Outcomes, and Section 6 on particular issues facing non-EU/ EEA students.
Their priority now, with the support of my officials, is to prepare their concluding independent report in which they will consider the outstanding review terms of references, namely the status of PhD students and the consistency and equity of approaches in PhD provision, with particular regard to underrepresented groups.
