Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am not sure Deputy Hayes heard the last line of my answer, where I stated the Bill will be published by the time the Dáil returns in January. We then intend to pursue taking it through the Houses immediately during the next term.

Our obvious commitment then is to ensure that matters can be speeded up for next year. My intention is to have the applications forms etc. ready by March of next year — it was somewhat later last year — and the publication of the schemes, which did not occur until June last, will occur in April of next year in order to provide a better service for students.

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