Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the delay in passing the Student Support Bill 2008 is due to the fact that he no longer considers the proposed system of 33 vocational education committees administering the grant system as an inefficient use of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7933/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Student Support Bill concluded Second Stage in the Dáil on the 30th April 2008. A number of amendments are currently being considered, arising from a review of the Bill following the Second Stage debate and further consultations since publication. I hope to have these amendments finalised with a view to progressing to Committee Stage in the current Parliamentary session. The passage of the Bill will facilitate progress on the development of regulations for a single unified grant scheme. The Department is working closely with the IVEA and other relevant stakeholders to develop the new administrative structures required to support more efficient and effective delivery of the new scheme.