I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 145 together.
I was pleased to be able to allocate a once off payment of €500 in 2022 to PhD students currently supported by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council, and an increase of €500 to the stipend baseline of €18,500 for 2023 for PhD students currently supported by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council. Both agencies will make arrangements with higher education institutions for the increase to be paid to students funded through their awards.
Outside the remit of my agencies, the level of stipend paid by higher education institutions is a matter for the institutions themselves.
However, my Department is monitoring the issue of stipends and the views expressed by students and other stakeholders. I have met with PHD Workers Alliance representatives and the Union of Students in Ireland on the challenges facings students. Following on from the Budget and on foot of these engagements, I will be commencing a review of current PhD training provision, including supports for students such as stipends.
I have asked my Department to set out a scope for such a review, building on previous work in this area and with a view to framing practical actions that can be implemented within the resources available and competing needs.