Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced by third level students in the processing of their applications for higher education grants; if her further attention has been drawn to the staff shortages in councils and vocational education committees that are contributing to these delays; her plans to resolve the issue [38612/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The process of paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. I am aware that the timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been received.

This year's student grant schemes include a number of significant administrative and service improvements aimed at addressing the issue of delays which include an initial roll-out of a new on-line grant application system. The new system, introduced in both Irish and English, is already now operating in 11 grant awarding authorities. Building on this initial phase for the current academic year, the ultimate aim will be to make it available to all applicants nationally.

The on-line system is part of a package of administrative and service improvements brought to the student grant schemes this year. Key among the other changes are a complete overhaul of the grant application form, streamlined administrative processes, advance payments to awarding authorities and publication of the grant schemes some two months earlier than last year.

Regarding the staffing position in Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and local authorities, the Deputy will be aware of the Government decision to implement a recruitment and promotion moratorium in the public sector, including in these bodies. Work prioritisation across different functions, and how available staff are deployed to execute those functions, are matters for the management of each VEC and local authority concerned.