Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has examined the possibility of extending the €500 cost-of-living payment and stipend increase announced in Budget 2023 to PhDs funded outside of the IRC and SFI; and if a mechanism similar to the pandemic-related payments to students has been considered for this cohort. [51683/22]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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596. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department have examined the possibility of extending the €500 cost-of-living payment and stipend increase announced in Budget 2023 to PhDs funded outside of IRC and SFI specifically, if a mechanism similar to the pandemic-related payments to students had been considered for this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51736/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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598. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has examined the possibility of extending the €500 cost-of-living payment and stipend increase announced in Budget 2023 to PhDs funded outside of IRC and SFI and if a mechanism similar to the pandemic related payments to students had been considered for this cohort. [51743/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 596 and 598 together.

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.

- 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 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.