Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Applications For Vocational Education Committee Scholarships.

Hugh Byrne

Question:

159 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she intends to transfer responsibility for handling applications for vocational education committee scholarships to third-level institutions to any other agency for the current year as vocational education committees would at this time of year be preparing for such works; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2565/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The Deputy will be aware that for the current year, 1995-96 the vocational education committees are administering the vocational education committee scholarship scheme to third-level institutions. As I have already announced in this House, I do not now intend to proceed with the establishment of a central agency to administer third level student grants as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Third Level Student Support.

I still consider that rationalisation of the organisational arrangements for the administration of student support is desirable and necessary. However, I believe a central agency would not be in a position to give grant applicants a service which was sufficiently accessible and user-friendly.

The option which I am now considering, of making the regional education boards envisaged in the White Paper responsible for administering student support, may be the option which would best balance the need to rationalise cost-effectively the administration of student support with the need to ensure a service which is user-friendly and accessible. However, as the boards will be set up on a gradual basis, it is not possible at this stage to say when they would be in a position to take over the administration of the student support schemes. The Irish Vocational Education Association will be consulted about this matter shortly.