asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to introduce a system whereby students at third level, qualifying for maintenance grant, will be paid their grant at the beginning of each term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23077/98]
Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.
One of my priorities regarding third level grants is to ensure that students receive their first maintenance payment as early as possible in the academic year. With this in mind, I brought the recoupment arrangements for the local authorities to a current year basis in 1997, which improved the timeliness of payments to students during 1997-8. I am confident the local authorities will make every effort to make early payments to students again this year and, indeed, I understand that most local authorities have already paid the first of the three instalments of the maintenance grants.