The report of the Advisory Committee on Third Level Student Support, chaired by Dr. Donal de Butléir, 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.