Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1488: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will make arrangements that the cheques for grant holders are issued by set payment dates in order that students can rely on having the money at the beginning of term or at the start of the new year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1149/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The arrangements for the payment of grants under the Grant Schemes are a matter for the Local Authorities/V.E.C.s. The terms of the 2008 Higher Education Grants Scheme and the V.E.C. Scholarships Scheme provide for the payment by the Local Authorities/V.E.C.s of each maintenance grant in three equal instalments as early as possible in each academic term. The payable orders are addressed to the grantholder c/o the Bursar's Office of the College. As you will appreciate, payment of the first instalment of the academic year cannot issue in respect of new grant applicants until registration on an approved course has been confirmed. In relation to grant renewals, awards cannot issue until successful academic attainment has been confirmed in respect of the previous end of year examinations.

The Student Support Bill was published in February 2008 and provides the legislative framework for the reform of the administration of student grants and the amalgamation of the existing four student grant schemes into a single unified scheme which will be provided for by way of regulation.

The Bill is part of an overall programme of legislative and administrative reform, which will facilitate the introduction of significant service level improvements in the administration of student grants, providing for greater consistency of application, improved client accessibility and timely delivery of grants to those who need them most. It will include guaranteed timeframes for the assessment of grants, an independent appeals procedure and more efficient arrangements for handling applications and making payments. The establishment of set payment dates for student grants is being considered in the context of the Programme of Reform.