Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the Third Level Student Support Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7897/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the commitment in the An Agreed Programme for Government, I propose to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students in higher education for the academic year, 2006-7. In this context, I intend to put in place, as early as possible, a more coherent administration system which will facilitate consistency of application and improved client accessibility. This is necessary if we are to ensure public confidence in the awards system and also ensure the timely delivery of grants to those who need them most.

My Department has been engaged in extensive consultations with the key stakeholders and with other relevant Departments to map the most logical and effective arrangements for the future structure and administration of the student support schemes. I expect that these consultations will be concluded shortly.

Whatever new arrangements are eventually decided upon will be provided for in new statutory arrangements through a new Student Support Bill. This Bill, which will provide statutory underpinning for the schemes, will have as a key objective the promotion of equality of access. I envisage that the Bill will also provide for an independent appeals system. I cannot indicate yet when this Bill will be published as its publication is contingent on the range of issues which are the subject of the consultations already mentioned.