Vol. 485 No. 1
110 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has for a major overhaul and expansion of the third level maintenance grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/97]
The report of the advisory committee on third level student support, chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir, was published in February 1995. The advisory committee found the present system of student support to be fragmented, cumbersome and very confusing for grant applicants. It identified overlaps and duplication with up to 70 different organisations involved in the administration of the grant schemes. It also found that payments were too frequently delayed and that students were often disadvantaged by various administrative problems in the system.
The advisory committee recommended that the three existing schemes, which have the same means test, the same rate of grant and cover virtually the same courses, should have a single application form. It also recommended significant changes in the processing of grant applications and payments.
In August 1997 a joint working group involving officials from my Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs commenced an examination of various options for the future administration of the student support schemes including the case for and against transferring this activity to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. I accept that the current administration of the student support schemes needs to be improved. Apart from the reservations about the need for a new body, I have an open mind as to what the best and most appropriate options are for a new centralised system. My priority is to ensure that the system properly addresses the concerns of students and parents.
On the question of the expansion of the scheme, I have recently announced that I intend to introduce maintenance grants for students attending post leaving certificate courses. I intend that these grants, which will be at the same level as the third level maintenance grants, will be available to students who are registered on PLC courses as of September 1998. While the method and timing of these payments may take some time to finalise they will meet our commitments in an Action Programme for the Millennium.
