Vol. 533 No. 6
425 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 5 December 2000, the report of the special project team to carry out a comprehensive review of every aspect of the maintenance grants and other student supports to ensure their relevance to the needs of present day third level students has been received by him; if he intends to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9515/01]
The remit of the special project team, to which the Deputy refers, is to carry out a comprehensive review of every aspect of the maintenance grants and other student supports to ensure their relevance to the needs of present day third level students.
This review, which has not yet been completed, includes the level of grants, the methods by which they are paid, eligibility and income limits, accommodation needs, student support services, the most suitable paying agency, the provision of an appeals system, student loans and taxation.
Issues relating to the implementation of the team's recommendations will be addressed when its report has been completed. The question of publishing the report will also be addressed at that time.
