James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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451. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56233/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The increases mentioned in the correspondence 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.

Postgraduate 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.