Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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562. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet delegates from a representative body (details supplied) in October; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49746/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As is clear from the actions already taken in the cost of living measures outlined in Budget 2023, my Department is monitoring the issue of stipends and the views expressed by students and other stakeholders, in the context of the resources available and the competing needs to which they can be allocated.

With that in view, as an immediate and tangible relief against the challenges of the rising cost of living, I am introducing:

- a once-off payment in 2022 of €500 for PhD students who receive an IRC or SFI award and

- a €500 increase to the stipend baseline in 2023 for PhD students who receive an IRC or SFI award.

PhD student recipients may also, in certain circumstances, qualify for support from SUSI.

I should add that I am commencing a review of current PhD training provision, including supports for students such as stipends. I have asked my Department to set out a scope for such a review, building on previous work in this area and with a view to framing practical actions that can be implemented within the resources available and competing needs.