Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware of the ongoing issues faced by PhD researchers funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) regarding the implementation of the recommended stipend increase from €18,500 to €25,000 (details supplied); the steps being taken to ensure that the necessary additional funding is allocated to support this increase; if the SEAI has received any additional funding to support the stipend increase; the measures that are being taken to ensure that all eligible PhD researchers receive the increased stipend as recommended; if he will commit to addressing this funding shortfall to support young researchers and promote research and innovation in Ireland; if he will take immediate action to resolve the financial difficulties faced by researchers due to rising living costs and inflation, given the importance of supporting research and innovation for Ireland’s future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39384/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Following the outcome of the independent “National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers”, directed by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, SEAI announced in 2023 that the eligible research stipend budget contribution for SEAI funded PhD students was increasing from €18,500 to €25,000 per annum effective from 1 January 2024.

This was applied immediately to the 2023 Call of the SEAI Research, Development and Demonstration Programme. The 2023 Call announced, together with co-funding partners, 40 new research projects had been awarded €20M in Government funding.

Prior year grantees (pre-2023) were also advised to accommodate the stipend increase. SEAI has received feedback from a small number of grant holders where this has proven difficult. SEAI is engaging with the Universities to deal with these cases.