Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State very much for his response. It is good to hear the Department is considering is looking at the issue of PRSI. This is very important because so many people are now going on to third level education and some are even taking the long route, as the Minister of State would be aware, because I know that under his own brief how very involved he is with the whole apprenticeship side and how people are progressing up through different levels.

It is very important PRSI is a key component to this report and how these PhD students can use that period toward their long-term contributions for their pensions at the other end. Many of them are PhD students for a number of years. As highlighted by the Minister of State, they are very involved in research and they are working. Many of them are paid at the lower levels, so it is important we support them in every way possible. I hope that under that PRSI scheme, they will have access to things like dental and optical benefits because not all rates of PRSI provide that cover.