A Government review of remuneration for PhD researchers has recommended that the current State stipend be increased significantly, with an "optimum target" of €25,000.
The study, commissioned by Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris, at the behest of campaigning PhD researchers, found there was agreement "among all stakeholders that the current stipend of circa €18,000 to €19,000 per annum is insufficient for the needs of PhD researchers having regard to the economic context in which they are studying and the current cost of living challenges".
It has pointed to the fact that Trinity College Dublin last March increased its internal post graduate research schemes stipend to €25,000.
Making its recommendation the National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers said increases should take effect from the start of the coming academic year (2023/2024) but no later than 1 January, 2024.
They have also recommended that the stipend is adjusted from then on in alignment with public service pay increases, increases in student grants, social welfare rates or other indices, which reflect ongoing changes to the cost of living.
At protests earlier this year, PhD researchers drew attention to the difficulties they face as a result of the low stipend rates, and to the economic importance of the work that they do.
They also highlighted the particular difficulties faced by many non-EU researchers here.
The independent review was co-chaired by Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney.
This is their first report, which according to Minister Harris "prioritised pressing challenges facing PhD researchers in terms of stipend levels and the particular issues being encountered by PhD researchers coming to Ireland from outside the EU or EEA".
They will now go on to focus on other areas.
In relation to non-EU or EEA researchers, the report has recommended that the Department of Further and Higher Education engage with the Departments of Justice and of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in order to mitigate "the challenges identified".
It said issues to address include Irish Residence permits and stamp types for PhDs, Family Reunification and spousal access to the labour market here, the need for private medical insurance, as well as visa and other matters.
