Joe Behan (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

We will see what happens when the time comes. Nonetheless, I agree wholeheartedly with many of Deputy Stanton's points on the Bill.

As was said, this is a long overdue proposal to modernise and rationalise the student support schemes. It must be remembered that fees for those attending third level are a thing of the past. This, more than anything else, has ensured greater access generally for people within the education system. However, we still need the student support schemes to ensure that those who are in the most disadvantaged circumstances get all the help they require to ensure they also have access to third level. I welcome that the Minister in these proposals and in her statements on the Bill has emphasised that much thought and effort will go towards ensuring that the supports available are targeted particularly at those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged in our communities. A number of welcome initiatives in this regard have been enacted by the Minister in recent years.

I am indebted to the Oireachtas Library and Research Service for a very informative debate pack, which I understand is a new service to Members of the Houses, that provides background information on the Bills coming through the House and enables new Deputies such as myself to undertake focused research with regard to a Bill, how it came about and the work that has been done to support it. Among the items in the pack for this Bill is a statement of the objectives of the scheme, which, while they have already been stated by Members, are worth reiterating.

The objective is to modernise and rationalise the existing scheme. The proposed single unified scheme will provide a more coherent administration system which will facilitate consistency of application and improve client accessibility. It will provide a system for the making of grants to enable young people to attend higher and further education in certain institutions. There is also a welcome change with regard to the residency requirement, so that three years residence in the previous five years will be required. This will allow young people, who these days often like to take a year out before they attend third level, to access the grants scheme if they have been resident for three of the previous five years. This is a wise and welcome development.

Like Deputy Stanton, I am not clear whether there was an independent appeals board in the past but this Bill allows for one. I have sympathy for the Deputy's view that if an independent person is adjudicating on appeals, it would be wise if that person was part of the existing decision-making body. This would make sense and I am sure is an issue the Minister will consider when the time comes. The clarity provided is also welcome with regard to eligibility criteria. The launch of the www.studentfinance.ie website also aids the issue of clarifying the information available.

As one who has served on both a town and a county VEC in Bray and County Wicklow, I welcome the wise decision to nominate VECs throughout the country as the bodies which will administer this scheme. As noted by other Members, some of whom may have served on VECs, the VECs have local democratic accountability, local knowledge and are rooted in the community, and they will ensure people have someone to whom they can address their concerns and difficulties with regard to filling out an application.

I agree with Deputy Stanton's point on the expected future possibility of downloading the application and applying on-line. This is becoming the most predominant way to apply in the CAO system and the grant scheme should also incorporate this facility.

Stakeholders' comments on the Bill have to date been universally welcoming. Statements have been issued by several stakeholders, including the Union of Students in Ireland, USI, the National Adult Learning Organisation, Aontas, and not surprisingly, by Michael Moriarty, general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association, IVEA. It is clear that all of these stakeholders agree with the provisions of the Bill and support it. As we heard from at least one Opposition speaker today, there is support on the Opposition side of the House for the Bill also. We look forward to seeing that support translated into real action when the time comes to make the decisions.

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