John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to take decisive action to ensure that postgraduate students who are hired as academic staff are afforded the necessary working conditions, incorporating pay and duration of contract, to deliver high quality education to students; if not, if he will put plans in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22922/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Those undertaking postgraduate study at Masters and PhD levels are considered as students, not employees. Under the Irish Research Council's Post Graduate Schemes scholars must be full-time students. However, as teaching is an essential means for the dissemination of knowledge and is considered valuable within the Scholar's career, the Council allows Scholars to undertake additional duties such as teaching and supervision, provided certain conditions are met. These include that the Scholar obtains prior approval from their supervisor, the additional duties are not excessive and do not adversely affect them in the carrying out of their research activities.

Contractual and remuneration matters in respect of additional duties are a matter for agreement between the Scholar and the HEI.