Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide additional funding per registered PhD student to each university to allow them to pay an increased stipend, bringing their income in line with the €28,000 paid to individuals on the PhD Innovate for Ireland programme. [51670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently collaborating with other stakeholders on the development of the Innovate for Ireland programme, which we do not expect to be in place before 2023.
The stipend determined for that programme will apply to the Innovate for Ireland programme only.
My Department is currently preparing a review of PhD provision. This review should conclude early next year, on the basis of available information, how issues of support for PhDs should be managed, mindful of the different stakeholders involved including DFHERIS competitive funders, HEA, HEIs, other public and private funders and the students themselves.
I should also explain that my Department allocates recurrent funding to the HEA for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions and as autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of this funding is a matter for the individual institution.
I might add that Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy prioritises the nurturing and development of talent and excellence to build on Ireland’s reputation as an Island of Talent and a location for research excellence and impact. The strategy recognises that the quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system, its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad. The strategy also highlights the need to foster an environment within the research and innovation community that supports our ambition to be an Island of Inclusion and Engagement.
