Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to finalise the Student Support Bill; if his attention has been drawn to concerns of the student unions here regarding the delay in completing the Bill; if he met with the student unions regarding the delay; if not, if he will agree to meet with them to alleviate their concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46101/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that a number of amendments to the Bill in relation to legal and policy issues which have arisen since Second Stage are being advanced by my Department in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.

The Bill makes provision for the transfer of responsibility for student grants to the VEC sector. In the existing budgetary situation, resources are not currently available to advance transition to new administrative arrangements in the immediate future. However, it is not possible to say definitively at this point when new administrative arrangements can be put in place and I am anxious, in light of the commitment to put all student grants on a statutory footing, to provide a statutory basis for all student grants for the intervening period.

Therefore, I am endeavouring to progress to a single scheme of grants as provided for in the Bill at the earliest possible date. While the current financial situation may necessitate retention of the existing administrative structures in the immediate term, I am assessing organisational options for the grants administration function in the longer run, with a view to streamlining operations and achieving more effective administrative efficiencies. Possible options for a more significant aggregation of functions are now being explored in the context of budgetary considerations and the Government's overall programme of public service reform.

These developments also require consideration of a complex set of legal options in relation to further amendment of the Bill and my Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to explore the issues in that regard. Subject to any technical, drafting and legal considerations arising, I hope to be in a position to have these amendments advanced sufficiently in order to progress to Committee as soon as possible.

My Department engages on the on-going basis with the Union of Students of Ireland (USI) in relation to my Department's Programme of Legislative and Administrative Reform of Student Grants. Officials of my Department met with USI on the 18th November, 2009 to alleviate their concerns and provide an update in relation in relation to the Bill.