Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would be sympathetic. I have had a long-standing commitment to research. PhD students are the lifeblood of our research capacity, particularly in science, engineering and technology more generally but across the board, where I do not want to differentiate. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science announced an independent national review of State supports for PhD researchers, as the Deputy pointed out, with Dr. Andrea Johnson and Mr. David Cagney as co-chairs. They submitted their first report last May and a series of recommendations were made, including one to increase the stipend level with an optimal target of €25,000, subject to the availability of funding. We have to remain competitive with other countries in respect of our treatment of PhD students and I would support improving their overall remuneration.

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