Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve the administration of all third level grants; his further plans to create a uniform system to coordinate all third level grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7889/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am glad to be able to inform the Deputy that students can look forward to several significant improvements to the student grant schemes starting from the 2011/12 academic year when it is intended to introduce a single unified scheme to replace the existing four schemes. This development will make it easier for students when it comes to applying for a grant.

I am also moving ahead with plans to introduce a single grant awarding authority from 2012. In this regard, following the recommendation of an independent Selection Panel, I intend to designate the City of Dublin VEC as the single grant warding body following agreement with my Department of an implementation plan. The centralised body will operate on a transitional basis accepting all new applications from the 2012/13 academic year. The existing grant awarding authorities will continue to process grant renewals for their grant holders.

In tandem with these developments, my Department will continue to roll out the grants online application system and the payment of grants to students by EFT. In addition, commensurate with the provisions of the Student Support Act, an independent Appeals Board will also be established.

All of these developments will provide for fundamental reform of the student grants system and represent a concrete development in meeting the objectives set out in the action plan for the education sector on the Croke Park Agreement.