College students face grant application woe over reforms delay

AROUND 60,000 college students face the same red tape with grant applications for the foreseeable future as budget restrictions are to prevent the rollout of major reforms of the system. Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has revealed that, although he hopes to re-introduce the legislation to transfer operation of all grants to Vocational Education Committees (VECs) by the summer, it will not, however, be implemented immediately.

The Student Support Bill made it to committee stage in the Dáil a year ago, but the minister has said it is being held up by legal difficulties.

In reply to a parliamentary question from Labour Party education spokesperson Ruairí Quinn, he said he hopes to bring forward an amended bill before the Dáil's summer recess but this will not necessarily allow the changes to take place.

"Given the current budgetary situation across the public sector, resources are not currently available to advance transition to the new administrative arrangements in the immediate future," a Department of Education spokesperson said last night.

This will mean that the current situation, whereby some grant schemes are managed by local councils, will continue for a period after the legislation is enacted.

"The bill is designed to place legal requirements on VECs and the department to make details of the grant scheme available by certain dates each year, and to bring an end to long payment delays for students in some parts of the country.

Mr Quinn claimed the decision to delay its implementation showed the Government had no commitment to helping third level students or improving our education system.

"I don't think the Government can tell students it's bringing in fees while at the same time doing nothing to reform the grants system.

"This dishonest approach has been exposed once and for all, there is no commitment to make higher education accessible, unless you are very wealthy," he said.

The level of grants payable to qualifying students was not increased for the current academic year, althoughMr O'Keeffe increased the income thresholds on which students and their families are assessed for eligibility.

The minister is expected to announce plans for some form of student fees or a loans system after next month's elections, which could affect this year'sLeaving Certificate students from autumn of next year.