Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

Beidh mé ag labhairt ar feadh deich nóiméid agus beidh an Teachta Áine Ní Bhrádaigh ag labhairt ar feadh deich nóiméid. Tá athás mór orm labhairt ar an mBille seo. Ba mhaith liom tacú le na Teachtaí ar fad a chur fáilte roimh an mBille seo le déanaí.

I am sure the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, share my belief that there has been much open, transparent and constructive discussion on this Bill in recent weeks since it was announced. Before anybody criticises the existing grant distribution system it is worth pointing out that the student population in the State has grown from approximately 21,000 people to more than 137,000 in the space of 40 years. What seems an inappropriate system now had operated relatively efficiently until quite recently. In pointing this out I am not attempting to blame anybody in the system but to welcome the proposed changes provided for in the Bill. However, there are many reasons for making the changes suggested in the Bill.

The Union of Students in Ireland, USI, which has its finger on the pulse of discussing the needs of students, describes the system as a financial support maze. From the queries I have received over the years I agree with that statement. The system has too many authorities, separate assessment criteria, forms and different application processes. When one combines those together it spells the need to change the system. Until now there has been far too much bureaucracy in the system. Nobody can deny the proposals to streamline the grant system are welcome or that they will greatly improve the system of distributing grant aid to students. This does not detract from the sterling work done at local level by the local authorities and the VECs. This contribution needs to be acknowledged, and from the debate I have heard most Deputies on all sides agree both those bodies have done fantastic work over the years.

In replacing the existing system the Minister and her Department do not seek to punish the local authorities but to relieve them of a major workload and hand it over to an agency that is possibly better equipped to administer the grant aid programme. I commend the proposals to give sole responsibility for the administration and payment of the grants to the VECs. I am aware of the argument promoted by the USI and others that perhaps the Department of Social and Family Affairs would be more appropriate but I disagree. The VECs comprise a network of specialised education committees. No Department can compete with this expertise and the knowledge it has gained over the years. Many Deputies have alluded to the fantastic local information the VECs have, which is unrivalled and unparalleled. That is a vote of confidence in the VECs and I have no doubt about their ability to carry out the proposed duties.

The new streamlined approach to be offered by the VECs will end the great variations in the processing and payment of the grant applications. The USI submission refers to the time lag from one county to the other. We all share that view and it is one of the reasons the streamlining approach is necessary. It will also bring a certain level of relief to those who apply for an educational grant. I think not only of the overwhelmed and confused young people embarking on their college careers, but older people who endeavour to return to college. I commend Deputy Haughey on his work in lifelong learning. Fantastic work is being done there and it goes right across the community. For older people the application process can be intimidating. We all hear anecdotal evidence of older people who are put off returning to university or college because they feel stupid not being able to figure out which form they should fill in or where they should apply. I do not blame them because we have all gone through bureaucratic mazes from time to time.

Aontas, the adult education agency has spoken about the number of queries it receives annually. Last year it received over 3,500 queries and over a quarter of those were concerned with the application process for the grants. The complexity of the current system must be seen for what it is, a barrier to funding and education. By giving students the opportunity to apply to just one body, the VEC, as proposed here, one of these fears is allayed. Similarly, getting information from one body will allow the applicant to ascertain, in one telephone call, which grant he or she is applying for and the criteria involved.

The new scheme gives a commitment to applicants for a decision in a short space of time, and three weeks has been mentioned. From my past queries this three week time period is very welcome. The Bill gives a commitment to provide successful applicants with their grant payments within a month. Nobody in the House will disagree that prompt payment is necessary. Not only will this relieve the immediate financial burden of families whose children are about to receive the grant, it also limits the risk of people dropping out because they cannot wait to get the money. I am relieved the thousands of older pupils about to leave my area of north Dublin will encounter a more straightforward process than the one their older siblings had to deal with.

I welcome the plans to change the eligibility criteria of applicants. I particularly welcome the changes on residency requirements. Although the number of years prior to application is greater, there is greater flexibility. Students will be required to have resided in the State for three of the past five years, meaning the years many students spend travelling the world before they seek their college degrees will no longer hinder them. I have encountered the problem where young people who have gone on their world trips to Canada or Australia encounter difficulties when they come back. The new rule will be a welcome benefit. I also welcome the establishment of the appeals body, which will directly tackle fraudulent claims as well as plans to use students' PPS numbers as a single identifier along with a new central database. That would better identify those in receipt of undeclared incomes. It also proposes to use the PPS numbers to monitor the academic progress and attendance of students in receipt of grants. This ensures the funding goes to those who deserve it. It is essential that where State money is being paid we should be able to track where it goes, who benefits from it and how.

Deputy Tuffy spoke about science degrees and it is worth remembering that Ireland is second in the list of OECD countries for science graduates per 100,000 people employed in the 25 to 34 age group. That is a tribute to the Government plans and grants that have been provided for science education at third level.

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