I am taking Questions Nos. 10, 26, 46 and 60 together.
In March 1993 the expert advisory group on third level student support was asked (a) to recommend appropriate criteria for assessment of eligibility on grounds of means, with reference to equity and the financial capacity of parents and applicants to pay and (b) to examine and make recommendations for the most effective organisational arrangements for the administration of the schemes.
I recently received the group's report and further to the recommendations contained therein I have brought a number of major proposals to Government to improve the conditions and administration in the third level student support schemes. As a result the Government has agreed already to implement the following improvements: The establishment of a central agency to process grant applications and payments, and thereby dramatically improve the service to students — this will take effect for the 1995-96 academic year; the abolition of the separate attainments for eligibility for a grant — this will ensure that all students who have secured a college place will now qualify for a grant subject to their meeting the means test; the introduction of new rules for second chance cases — this is to ensure students who did not complete their initial studies will be eligible to apply for grants for second chance courses after five years; the provision of a discretionary budget in 1994 so as to set up a hardship fund with the third level institutions and an increase in the income limits in line with the average industrial wage and in maintenance grants in line with inflation.
A more streamlined system centred on the local authority offices will be put in place in 1994. The local authority will act as "a one stop shop", to facilitate students in submitting their applications for a grant under the existing three schemes. It is intended that local authorities will provide students with information, advice and the appropriate forms for the three schemes in 1994. In 1995 their role in advising students will continue and each authority will, through the use of specific officials, have priority access to CAO on behalf of the students.
The Government is continuing its study of the other significant findings in the report, and will be in a position to put forward a range of additional measures designed to ensure greater equity in the operation of the schemes and to improve access to third-level education. I am committed to publishing the report and will do so. However, I do not propose to do so until the Government has completed its deliberations.
