Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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605. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether his Department has undertaken any analysis of the impact on the fiscal position of the State in circumstances where PhD students were treated as PAYE workers on average industrial wages or living wages, giving them all rights and benefits; if he will share this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22784/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In October 2022, an independent review of PhD provision was announced, the first time that a review of this nature had been undertaken. The independent Co-Chairs undertook a very comprehensive consultation process, meeting with over 35 stakeholder organisations, including an all-day (and in-person) workshop with student groups. In addition, over 750 written review submissions were received through an online process. The Co-Chairs’ deliberations on these consultations, coupled with extensive desk research (including a review of international practice) underpinned their analysis and findings. Their first review report was published in June 2023.

Among the recommendations of that review process was for the optimum stipend level for Research Ireland supported PhD students to be set at €25,000, subject to funding availability. On 1 October 2024, additional funding was announced for Research Ireland in order to facilitate such an increase to €25,000. This in turn built on previously announced such changes in preceding Budgets so that the cumulative result over a two year period amounted to an increase of over 31%. This is a clear demonstration of my Department’s consistent focus and progress on this issue. It has come into effect from 1 January 2025. In doing so, my Department have now implemented that key recommendation of the independent review

The final review report, which will incorporate consideration of PhD researcher status and issues particularly affecting under-represented researcher cohorts, will be published in due course.