Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

The Minister will be aware that she gave a commitment in 2006 that this issue would be resolved. On at least ten occasions before the general election she stated this Bill would be published and the issue would be resolved. What are the delays at this stage?

Deputy Coonan asked when the Minister will publish this Bill. Will it be published in the next month before the new session begins and, more importantly, when will it be put before the Dáil?

This is the key question. Is the Minister giving a guarantee to the House that the new regime, in terms of placing responsibility for all maintenance grants within the VEC sector, will be in place by September 2008 so that there is a much greater streamlining of grants for third level students?

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