Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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525. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to accommodate funding for science PhD students whose studies were delayed due to Covid-19 (details supplied); and if the funding will be extended to ensure they can complete their work. [14701/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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On 13 March 2020, the Irish Research Council, in partnership with the Health Research Board and Science Foundation Ireland, issued a joint funders statement to address issues being faced by grant awardees during the Covid-19 pandemic.  This was followed by the establishment of a group comprising the main competitive research funders and performers and the HEA, which provides a strong forum for dialogue on a range of issues.  

The Department understands that flexibility is being offered by the research funding bodies to researchers such as considering proposals to reallocate costs within project awards, the provision of extensions for those directly impacted in terms of access to laboratories at this time, the possibility to review work packages within individual awards etc.  All parties are seeking to work through the current situation in a way that safeguards our Research, Development and Innovation system to the maximum extent possible and to address the specific concerns regarding researchers on contracts that are linked to research funding awards.  It is considered that an approach which deals with issues on a case-by-case basis is the most appropriate at this time and one that ensures the specific circumstances that arise in particular cases can be addressed effectively.  In relation to costed extensions, the Department understands that a number of research funders are working proactively with their grant holders in this regard.

Health and safety is the paramount driver and the return of researchers is being managed appropriately at a local level given the very specific needs of different types of research and the closeness to completion of some projects, for example, for doctoral students and industry contracts, with oversight from the Heads of Research to ensure consistency and fairness in the approaches being taken.