Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1395. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures his Department is implementing to address the issues raised by the motion passed by Seanad Éireann (details supplied) relating to precarious work in higher education; if any of the policy solutions recommended by Seanad Éireann have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47848/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department. As such, many of the proposals identified in the motion passed by Seanad Éireann are being progressed.
As announced in the recent Budget, an additional €193 million in funding is being provided over 2023 and 2024 to the Higher Education sector. This includes some €60m under the Funding the Future policy framework to build capacity and to ensure the sector is funded on a sustainable basis. Among other things, this will allow more staff to be recruited and provide additional scope to help address the issue of precarious work.
In addition, my officials have already undertaken a considerable amount of work to develop a revised staffing framework to replace the current Employment Control Framework (ECF). Work is continuing on this new approach which will better align with the realities that the higher education sector now faces. Furthermore, an uplift of some 1,500 core-funded posts under the current ECF was announced in the summer which will facilitate Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in recruiting more permanent staff.
An independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers was commissioned in 2022, with the first report of the Co-Chairs published in May 2023. This focused particularly on stipend levels and recommended an increase towards an optimum level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. Under Budget 2024, funding was secured to increase the stipend offered by the research funding agencies under my Department’s remit (Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council) to €22,000, building on the increase secured under Budget 2023, and demonstrating clear and consistent progress on this issue. The Co-Chairs have now submitted their final independent review report which will be published shortly.
My officials will also continue to engage with stakeholders, including trade unions and HEIs, with the aim of ensuring that there is optimal security and stability for staff while, at the same time, recognising the autonomy of universities and other institutions and the legitimate need for an appropriate staffing mix that supports a high-performing sector.
