Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to expedite the allocation of maintenance grants for students for the 2008/2009 academic year in view of the fact that a large number of students have yet to receive any money from the relevant bodies; if there are plans to provide adequate staffing and computers to ensure a more accelerated process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30774/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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 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.