Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has had consultation with the Union of Students of Ireland regarding the proposed Student Support Bill; if not, if there is an intention to engage with the USI regarding this piece of legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26678/07]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the Student Support Bill has gone to the Attorney General; when it was sent; if it has come back; and if she will make a statement on the reason there has been a delay in publishing this Bill. [26679/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.

As the Deputy may already be aware, I plan to introduce a single unified scheme of maintenance grants for students and to consolidate the administration of this unified grants scheme in the VEC sector. This will, I believe, provide for a more coherent administrative system. The scheme, which will be underpinned by a new Student Support Bill, will facilitate consistency of application, improved client accessibility and timely delivery of grants.

My Department has, as I have indicated previously, engaged in substantial consultations with the key stakeholders, including the Union of Students, on the future structure and administration of the student support schemes.

This process of consultation with the key stakeholders is on-going, in order to map the most logical and effective arrangements for the administration of the student support schemes, including the arrangements for the 2008/09 academic year. These consultations are a priority for my Department at present.

The Student Support Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation and my Department is currently working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to finalise outstanding issues. I hope to be in a position to have the Bill published during the current Dáil session.