Michael McDowell
Ceist:14 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to streamline the third level grant system and to introduce one agency to replace the existing three third level grant delivery agencies.
Written Answers. - Third Level Grant Scheme.
As I have already indicated, a review of the third level student support schemes is at present under way in my Department, taking account of the issues arising from the changes introduced last year.
This review will cover the scope of the schemes, their terms and conditions and their administration, with the objective of creating a more streamlined student support system for the coming academic year.
An important part of the review process will be to consider how the various student support services can best be organised and streamlined to meet the needs of the students.
I will also be considering in this context whether the delivery of student support services in the medium term could best be handled within the new intermediate education structures proposed under the Programme for a Partnership Government.
I am sympathetic to the Deputy's concern to see simpler organisational arrangements for the delivery of the services. However, I feel that such arrangements may take some time to achieve. I want to get the structures right rather than rush into major changes without full consideration of the issues.