Helen Keogh
Ceist:12 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, she is taking to ensure prompt payment of third level grants, whose repeated lateness has caused hardship to students. [1052/94]
Written Answers. - Third Level Grants.
I am disappointed to have read newspaper reports that students are experiencing delays in receiving grant payments and I have asked my Department to prepare a report for me on the situation. The reason for the delays may include incomplete income documentation from applicants, late registration in colleges, late applications for grant aid and applicants failing to notify Local Authorities/VECs about their final course acceptance.
I made significant improvements this year to the operation of the grant schemes in order to ensure delays will not arise. Overall the effect of and reaction to these changes has been very positive.
I arranged to have the third level student support schemes issued at the end of April, 1994. This allowed the Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees an additional three months to process grant applications over and above that in previous years.
As the Deputy will recall I intend to transfer the administration of the grants schemes to the CAO in order to provide a better service to students.