John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy O'Keeffe. I thank the Senator for giving me this opportunity to outline the position of the Department of Education and Science on applications by students for funding under the student support schemes.

I am pleased to inform the house that the Department of Education and Science funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the higher education grants scheme, the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme, the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees and the maintenance grant scheme for students attending post leaving certificate courses. The higher education grants scheme is administered by local authorities. The other three schemes are administered by VECs. Under the terms of the maintenance grant schemes, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed condition of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment.

The Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968-1992 provide for the making of grants by local authorities to enable persons to attend approved courses of higher education. The process, whereby local authorities assess eligibility and make grant payments under the higher education grants scheme is provided for under these Acts. The organisation and management of student support grant schemes is a matter for individual VECs and local authorities. It is acknowledged that some students are experiencing delays in the processing of their grant applications. Every effort is being made by local authorities and VECs to ensure students get decisions on their grant applications and are paid as soon as possible. It is understood the awarding bodies received an unprecedented number of applications this year and that they are still receiving late applications on a daily basis.

The Senator will appreciate that, in the context of the current economic circumstances, difficult choices had to be made by Government to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In that regard, the Senator will be aware of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector. The Minister acknowledges the difficulties VECs and local authorities are experiencing because of the moratorium which may, in some instances, be affecting the processing of grants. Our difficult economic circumstances mean tough choices had to be made to control public expenditure.

Apart from the pressures associated with the volume of applications, a significant number of outstanding grant applications have not been processed in full because they are incomplete. The Minister would like to remind students and their parents to return all necessary supporting documentation as early as possible to help the awarding bodies to make prompt decisions on entitlement. The Higher Education Authority, on behalf of the Minister, has asked institutions to be flexible in respect of the payment of the student services charge for those still awaiting a decision on their grant application.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology issued a letter to all students regarding outstanding fees as it is approaching the end of the first semester and not all students are entitled to grants. Where a student is not entitled to a grant, the letter provides for flexibility and payment of the student services charge may be made by instalments. Letterkenny Institute of Technology will continue to extend the maximum flexibility to students awaiting a decision on their grant application who are experiencing financial difficulty.

I again thank the Senator for raising the matter.