Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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276. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount of remuneration increase proposed to PhDs during this academic year and in the years to follow 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55979/22]

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the increases in budget 2022 in relation to PhD remuneration will come to pass; when PhDs can expect to see this remuneration increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55980/22]

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the range and scope of the proposed review of the salary scales and remuneration on offer to PhDs (details supplied); the proposed timing of when such a review might report; his views on what is adequate remuneration for PhD students and post-doctoral research and working in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55981/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 to 278, inclusive, together.

The increases to which the Deputy refers are those announced as part of Budget 2023, namely a once off payment of €500 in 2022 for all PhD students currently in receipt of a stipend from either Science Foundation Ireland or the Irish Research Council, and an increase to the baseline stipend of €500 in 2023 for the same cohort of students. It is expected that the once off payment for 2022 will be paid this month or early December, and the increase to the baseline of €500 for 2023 will be implemented at the beginning of 2023.

PhD students who qualify for support under the Student Grant Scheme will benefit from a range of further measures to enhance the scheme as part of Budget 2023. Some of these cost-of-living measures will already commence in 2022.

As part of the Government's cost of living measures, every SUSI maintenance grant recipient will receive an additional once-off extra maintenance payment to be paid by the end of December 2022. This includes PLC, undergraduate and Postgraduate Students who are in receipt of the Special Rate of Grant.

Post Graduate Students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant will benefit from a once off increase in this grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.

On the issue of PhD supports in general, I also recently announced a national review of State supports for PhD researchers. ‎The scope of the Review will include:

- Current PhD researcher supports including financial supports (stipends, SUSI supports and others);

- The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements across research funders and higher education institutions, including equity and welfare considerations.

- The status of PhD researchers (student, employee) including a review of international comparators and models.

- Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports.

- Graduate outcomes for PhD graduates including return on investment/benefits to the researcher.

- Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.

The Review, informed by a robust evidence base, will be completed in early 2023.