Vol. 484 No. 2
65 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science whether he has established a working group to develop proposals for the reform of the eligibility rules for higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16679/97]
The report of the advisory committee on third level student support, chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir, was published in February 1995.
The advisory committee found the present system of student support to be fragmented, cumber-some 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.
It is clear that the current administration of the student support schemes must be improved. Apart from reservations about the need for a new body I have an open mind as to what the best and most appropriate options are for a new centralised system. A joint working group involving officials from my Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs has begun an examination of various options and the possible role of that Department in any new system. I expect to receive a preliminary report from this working group shortly which will outline the issues that will require detailed examination before any recommendations can be finalised.
I would like to emphasise that no irrevocable decisions will be taken in relation to any future arrangements without appropriate consultation with all interested parties.
I accept that the current administration of the student support schemes needs to be improved. Apart from reservations about the need for a new body I have an open mind as to what the best and most appropriate options are for a new centralised system. My priority is to ensure that the system properly addresses the concerns of students and parents.
