Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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540. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for publication of his Department's review of the issue of precarity in academia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8838/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy,which I was pleased to launch in May of 2022, prioritises the nurturing and development of talent and excellence to build on Ireland’s reputation as an Island of Talent and a location for research excellence and impact. The quality of our researchers is fundamental to the quality of our research system and its collaboration with partners in industry and policymakers, both in Ireland and abroad.

Under Pillar 4 of Impact 2030 we will ensure that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum contribution, whether in academia, industry, the public sector or elsewhere.

As part of this commitment, my Department has begun a national review of State supports for PhD researchers. I was pleased to appoint Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney as Co-Chairs for the review.

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 by the co-Chairs by the end of March. It will conclude by making recommendations to me, which will inform future actions to ensuring a sound framework of PhD supports is in place.

I will consider its findings before going to Government with proposals and this is expected to happen in May.