Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
94. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason why the optimum target of €25,000 for the PhD stipend as recommended by the first report of the National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers, was not implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45541/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the establishment of this Department, we have made a number of changes to help PhD researchers. The first was to increase the Irish Research Council stipend to match that of Science Foundation Ireland. Then, in Budget 2023, I was pleased to be able to increase the stipend to €19,000 for 2023 for PhD students currently supported by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.
In this Budget, we have made significant and substantial change. I have secured funding to increase the PhD stipend provided by the competitive funding agencies under my Department – Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council to €22,000 per student per annum for their approximately 3,000 stipend awardees. This is an increase of approximately 16% and is more than our nearest neighbour in the United Kingdom.
It is important to clarify the independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers, recommended an increase towards an optimum stipend level of €25,000, but it also said this was subject to funding availability and cognisant of the impact of any stipend change on public finances. It recommended an increase take place no later than January 2024 and that has now happened.
I have always said this was Step One. We will continue to work with colleagues across Government to make further changes for PhD researchers.
