Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly will do that and I fully agree with the Deputy in that regard. I have had some engagement with PhD researchers with disabilities and I would be happy to intensify that contact and do more. I thank the Deputy for acknowledging the fact that we have increased the stipend. That is a signal of intent and wanting to do more on research, which requires more researchers and an attractive and decent place for researchers to carry out their work. We have also increased SUSI supports for postgraduate students. This is the general direction of travel that we want to take. I am genuinely eager to see the outcome of the work of the subgroup because I accept more needs to be done in this area. I also accept that it is a fine line between fulfilling the educational importance of these programmes and the differentiation between education and work. At the same time, we should strive to be best in class in this area. We want Ireland to be a leader in research and that involves investing in our best and brightest. Any recommendations for how we can make further improvements will certainly be acted upon and taken seriously by me.

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