Vol. 498 No. 4
413 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to introduce a registration grant for third level students to cover expenses incurred during the registration period as recommended by the Union of Students in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27364/98]
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 1997-98. For the 1997-98 academic year, I understand that 31 of the 33 local authorities had paid a substantial number of first instalments by the end of October. Only two local authorities had less than 50 per cent of first instalments paid. The delay in making first instalment payments arose in cases where the local authorities were awaiting further information from applicants or where late applications were accepted.
I have no plans to introduce an up front payment of the maintenance grant, or registration grant which would be deducted from the maintenance grant, as suggested by the Union of Students in Ireland. On the contrary, I believe that such an approach to further segment the payment of maintenance grants would increase the administrative burden on the local authorities, vocational education committees and the colleges, without any benefit being derived by the students. I have discussed this issue with the Union of Students in Ireland and asked the union to advise me of any difficulties its members are encountering with delays in receipt of maintenance grants. On the general issue of the administration of the student support schemes, a joint working group involving officials from my Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs is undertaking a detailed review of the current arrangements. This review will involve the participation of interested parties and I have previously indicated that no irrevocable decisions will be taken in relation to any future arrangements without appropriate consultation with all interested parties.
