Student Support Schemes Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2013

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Questions (139)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

139. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the student grant scheme 2013 (S.I. No. 159/2013) is implemented as a statutory instrument as opposed to an Act of the Oireachtas; if, given its extensive scope and comprehensiveness, he intends in the future to put such law into an initial Act of the Oireachtas as part of the overall package of political reform for better legislative oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33754/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Student Support Act 2011 is the primary legislation introduced by the Oireachtas to underpin the programme of legislative and administrative reform of the student grants system. The Act provides that certain areas may be prescribed by way of regulation subject to principles and policies laid down by the Oireachtas in the primary legislation. Section 16 of the Act provides for the making of a scheme or schemes of grants. The power to make a scheme of grants by way of regulation facilitates the annual updating of the Student Grant Scheme in order to reflect budgetary and other technical changes from year to year.