Minister's pledge over payment of student grants
New legislation will ensure college students are not forced to suffer lengthy waits for state education grants, it was confirmed today.
Education Minister Mary Hanafin said under a new grants payment system students would receive their grant cheque within a month of the start of the college term.
The TD said: “These reforms are part of the Government’s strategy to ensure that students get the support they need when they need it, so that money problems don’t stop them from achieving their full potential at college.”
Ms Hanafin said she would be bringing new legislation to the Government within weeks to ensure students get their grant cheques early in the college term. Over 56,000 people benefited from student grants worth over €200m last year.
“In recent years, the focus has been on increasing grant payment levels and targeting extra support at students from the poorest families through new top-up grants. Indeed, the highest level of grant available is now nearly €5,400, compared to just over €2,000 in 1997,” the minister said.
“Now we are overhauling the payments system to ensure that all students get their grants as quickly as possible.”
Ms Hanafin said the new Student Support Bill would provide for a single agency to administer the grant scheme.
Under the new proposed system, students would get a decision on their application within three weeks of the closing date. Students would receive their grant cheque within a month of the start of the college term if they have submitted the completed application by May 31.
Ms Hanafin said an appeals process would be introduced for those who were turned down for a grant and feel their application should be examined again.
The minister said the legislation would be brought before the Cabinet within weeks, in a bid to ensure the new system is in place for the 2007/2008 academic year.
Meanwhile, the Education Department also confirmed nine primary schools and six secondary schools have been granted funds for major renovations and building works.
Ms Hanafin said: “Two new post primary school buildings, one in Kildare and one in Limerick are among the major post primary projects being approved to move to tender and subsequently to construction.”
Ms Hanafin, who said €500m was being spent on building work in schools this year, confirmed the 15 projects were moving to the tender and construction stage now.
The minister said funding had also been approved to appoint an architectural design team to an additional primary school in Co Clare, which caters for children with special needs.
