Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:16 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education the current status of the proposed unified system for payment of third-level grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18775/95]
Written Answers. - Grant Payment System.
The advisory committee on third level student support found that the present system of administering student support is fragmented and very confusing for grant applicants in that there are three separate schemes administered by 70 agencies in all. The committee recommended that the processing of grant applications and payment of grants should be transferred from the local authorities and the vocational education committees to a central agency.
I share the committee's view that rationalisation of the organisational arrangements for the administration of student support is desirable and necessary. However, I have already indicated in this House that I feel it appropriate to review the Advisory Committee's recommendation for a central grant processing agency in the light of the following considerations.
(a) Representations have been made to me to the effect that a central agency will be too remote from candidates applying for grants and that the present system enables the agencies at the local level to assist candidates with their queries and grant applications in a personal and user-friendly way that a central agency will not be able to do.
(b) Since the examination of this issue by the advisory committee I have published the White PaperCharting our Education Future which includes a range of measures for significant change in the education system including the creation of regional education boards.
However, I have not yet reached any final conclusions in this regard.