Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party)

I will not argue that point. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am in favour of this Bill. As Senator Ryan has argued, however, the key point will be its implementation. I ask the Minister of State to say when the Bill will be implemented. I am a Galway representative and it is a city with a population of 75,000 and a student population of 20,000. The student population of Galway is very vibrant and every September throws up numerous representations from students with regard to difficulties with grants. This information is needed by everyone in Galway and by everyone living in a city with a college or university.

I accept the principle that the plethora of grant agencies have been causing significant confusion. First-time students find it particularly difficult as they attempt to become familiar with a new curriculum and to adjust to living in a new place. When problems arise with grants, they often do not know who to talk to. Any proposals to simplify the grants system are to be welcomed. The implementation of the Bill's provisions is a key point.

I refer to a particular issue arising last year with regard to grant aid for mature students and the back to education allowance. As a result of the economic situation, many people are choosing to go to college or university as a means of helping them to find employment. This is a better use of time than being on the dole. The grants system should support people who should not be forced into a situation whereby they have to go on the dole, especially if they have children. Parents wishing to go back to education to enhance their employment prospects and to add value to their skills and abilities should be supported in every way possible. This Bill is a step in the right direction. I am aware that the number of grants for mature students has been cut and this is regrettable. However, I acknowledge the current difficult financial situation.

The effect of this Bill on mature students and their social welfare benefits should be examined. The single grants authority provided for in this Bill should allow for a more efficient administration of grants. We must invest in education and in students for the sake of the country. It has been a Green Party principle that education should be protected in this difficult economic time.

I agree with Senator Norris in his support for full and free access to education. I refer to the controversy about registration fees and college fees. I have said on a number of occasions in Galway that I support the Labour Party point of view that we do not want to reintroduce college fees. This has been a long-standing Labour Party principle and I commend the party on abolishing college fees in the first place. This policy is supported by the Green Party.

The registration fees have increased to such an extent that they are higher than similar registration fees in many other countries. Getting fees in by the back door is not appropriate either. Senator Norris also made the valid point that if we are going to be a low tax economy we cannot have high tax solutions. We cannot copy the Scandinavian model without paying Scandinavian levels of tax. We cannot afford to pay for a full student system if we do not have sufficient tax revenues.

We are harmonising grants but a number of people have told me they would like to see a proper system of student loans. At present, student loans are not easy to obtain and students would not be seen as good credit risks when they come looking for money to help themselves through college. I accept that the risk perception depends to some extent on the course being pursued. It is incumbent on the Government of the day to ensure that anybody who wants to go to college will not be barred interminably by financial considerations. If people, and mature students with families in particular, are prepared to borrow money to attend college it should be possible for them to do so. People should have some means, whether by begging or borrowing, although not by stealing, to enhance their employment prospects with a college or university education.

I am not particularly concerned about historical issues relating to the VECs or who administers the funds but there are bound to be teething problems when the new structures are implemented. We need to manage the transition period carefully. I recognise this is not a matter covered by the Bill but, as several Senators have noted, implementation is key to this issue. I welcome the Bill but I would like to know the timetable for implementing it and whether an implementation plan will be put in place.