Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
320. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the process by which chairs of the review into PhD conditions were selected and to provide details of the remuneration awarded to chairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7814/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the review of PhD supports is to contribute to the development of a set of national guidelines for supports for PhD researchers that fosters a consistent standard of experience. This is a key commitment in IMPACT 2030 the National Strategy for Research and Innovation published in May last year. There are circa 11,000 people undertaking PhD studies in Ireland at any time. In the context of the cost of living crises there was an urgent need to bring forward the implementation of the commitment so that PhD supports are fit for purpose. The review will build on the previous work on reforms in the tertiary education and research system, including the national doctoral framework, student supports and the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
Officials of my Department identified a shortlist of persons with appropriate high level experience to oversee this review. The experience identified as most appropriate included talent and skills management, researcher careers, high level skills development and human resource management, industrial relations and Public Service management. They were then approached to see if they would be willing to serve in that role, noting the urgency in establishing the review . Mr. David Cagney, recently retired as Assistant Secretary and Head of Civil Service HR in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Dr. Andrea Johnson, Vice President of WorkHuman and Chairperson of Women in Technology and Science both agreed to serve.
In line with established procedure,my Department obtained sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to pay each co-chair a per diem rate of €200 for up to 10 days for their work on the review.
I am delighted that two such qualified people as Mr Cagney and Dr. Johnson agreed to conduct this review urgently and at modest cost, having regard to the importance of the review
