John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received for higher education grants by Dublin City Council for the academic year 2011-2012; the number processed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33208/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Details of the number of the student grant applications received and processed by Dublin City Council for the 2011/12 academic year are contained in the attached document. This information, which was provided to my Department by Dublin City Council, is as at 4 November 2011.

The Deputy will be pleased to know that plans are well under way to replace the 66 grant awarding bodies with one single authority and I have approved the appointment of the CDVEC to operate this centralised body. The single authority will be operative from 2012 and I believe it will lead to a more efficient system for the processing of applications and improve the overall customer experience for those who apply for grants. I am sure the Deputy will agree this much needed overhaul of the grants system is a positive example of public sector reform.