Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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154. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the review of State supports for PhD researchers; the terms of reference of the review; the expected timeline for the completion of the review; the membership of the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59789/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department will soon begin a national review of State supports for PhD researchers.

In this regard, I was pleased to recently appoint Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney as Co-Chairs for the review process. I do not intend to appoint any other members, but I do intend that the process will engage widely with stakeholders.

The scope of the review includes:

- 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.