Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2020
142. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if higher educational institutions should comply with the Irish Research Council Government-funded scholarship guideline that where scholars undertake such teaching or demonstration duties as listed that they should be appropriately remunerated by their HEI; if not, if this is optional; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37367/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Irish Research Council’s Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarships Scheme (GOIPG) is to support suitably qualified research master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing, or intending to pursue, full-time research in any discipline. The Terms and Conditions of the Scheme stipulates that award holders must engage full-time in research during the funding term and should not engage in any activity other than developing the stated research project and the Training and Career Development Plan.?
However, the Irish Research Council recognises that teaching is an essential means for the structuring and dissemination of knowledge and should, therefore, be considered a valuable activity within the award holders' career. In exceptional circumstances, an award holder may engage in other work as an alternative to tutorial or demonstration work. The Council therefore allows award holders to agree to take on additional work (e.g. teaching duties, mentorship and support activities) during the award, provided the award holder submits a written statement of support from their academic mentor/supervisor and obtains prior written permission from the Council before the teaching term begins or at the beginning of the term.
The work cannot be excessive and must not exceed a total of 150 hours per academic year, including contact and non-contact hours. The work must not prevent researchers from carrying out their research activities and should be relevant to the research funded by the award and consistent with the Training and Career Development Plan agreed by the award holder and academic mentor/supervisor.
Where scholars funded by a GOIPG award undertake such teaching or other duties as listed above, they should be appropriately remunerated by their Irish HEI/RPO. Any such payments will not affect the awardee’s total amount of award. Compliance with Irish laws and regulations on taxation will be a matter for the awardee, the Irish HEI/RPO and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. Contractual and remuneration matters in respect of additional duties are a matter for agreement between the scholar and the HEI.
Host organisations must keep and hold records and approvals of additional or other work by award holders and should ensure that such work is taken into account in relevant evaluation/appraisal systems and contributes to the professional development of the award holder. Suitable training should be provided for teaching activities as part of the professional development of award holders.
