Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very happy to hear from the Postgraduate Workers Alliance, receive a submission from it and engage with it. I would welcome its views on this issue. Frankly, I need to have as much information as possible and we need to take a co-ordinated approach on the matter. We now have a new Department dedicated to higher education. It is appropriate that we apply a policy focus to some of these issues. It is also important to state that there are various views on this issue. I have met researchers, universities and student groups. Many researchers see the teaching hours of up to five hours per week as part of their course and an integral part of their training and mentorship. As I stated, I am concerned about some of the examples of which I have heard and read in the media in recent times. I wish to see a researcher career structure put in place with clear progression opportunities. I also point out that there are opportunities under the Haddington Road agreement in terms of an expert group on fixed-term and part-time employment in lecturing for the broader issue relating to precarious employment, to which I am sure we will return.

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