Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)

I welcome the very positive news that Ireland will become an associate member of CERN. Ireland has a rich history in research and scientific innovation. Indeed, the Nobel science laureate, Ernest Walton, who was the first person to split the atom, should be recognised here today. Membership will open doors for Irish researchers to take part in CERN scientific programmes and make Irish citizens eligible for staff positions and fellowships. We have an enormous amount of home-grown talent but as a small country, we have limited opportunities for growth. CERN membership will help to address that particular deficit. As the Minister knows well, it is essential to support academics in their research and encourage more people to undertake PhDs and research and innovation in this country. We are a great country with very hard-working, bright and innovative people. I hope the Department will seek to support innovative PhD research projects in the years ahead.

I wish to raise the matter of PhD stipends today. I welcome the fact that the programme for Government seeks to increase the stipend by €2,000 but this does not keep up with inflation. This is something that the Minister should focus on and prioritise because it is a really important part of the academic sphere in the country. If we want to develop and build on Ireland's position as a centre of innovation, we have to make sure that these positions are attractive to graduates. We should also encourage the promotion of corporate partnerships. This has been a positive move in recent years but a lot more needs to happen in this space. I am aware of one doctoral researcher who has partnered with Fitbit due to her PhD work. The Department should look at supporting individual students as well as supporting private companies through tax breaks, incentives and so on.

I welcome this development and look forward to updates on it in the years ahead.

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