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05/02/2008
New Streamlined Grants Scheme For Students
A bill has been introduced that will streamline the student grant application scheme to provide a single statutory basis for all claims.
Publishing the Student Support Bill 2008, Minister Hanafin said: "The development of a unified system of student support will greatly assist those embarking on higher and further education who need financial support.
"The publication of this Bill marks an important milestone in the process," he said.
The Bill will provide the general basis on which students will in future be eligible for a grant, and determines that the Vocational Education Committees (VEC) would be given sole responsibility for the administration of student maintenance grants, halving the number of grant awarding authorities to 33.
Minister Hanafin said this will significantly simplify the range of different grants and awarding authorities which students must currently negotiate in order to apply for a grant and ensure the timely delivery of grants to those who need them most.
Other significant developments provided for in the Bill include the introduction of a new Independent Appeals Board, which will promote greater transparency in the grant-awarding process.
The Bill also provides for the strengthening of the process whereby fraudulent claims can be rigorously pursued by an awarding authority.
The Bill is set to underpin Government policy to improve equal access to further and higher education for underrepresented groups by requiring the institutions involved to draw up and implement access plans and equality policies.
(VB)
Publishing the Student Support Bill 2008, Minister Hanafin said: "The development of a unified system of student support will greatly assist those embarking on higher and further education who need financial support.
"The publication of this Bill marks an important milestone in the process," he said.
The Bill will provide the general basis on which students will in future be eligible for a grant, and determines that the Vocational Education Committees (VEC) would be given sole responsibility for the administration of student maintenance grants, halving the number of grant awarding authorities to 33.
Minister Hanafin said this will significantly simplify the range of different grants and awarding authorities which students must currently negotiate in order to apply for a grant and ensure the timely delivery of grants to those who need them most.
Other significant developments provided for in the Bill include the introduction of a new Independent Appeals Board, which will promote greater transparency in the grant-awarding process.
The Bill also provides for the strengthening of the process whereby fraudulent claims can be rigorously pursued by an awarding authority.
The Bill is set to underpin Government policy to improve equal access to further and higher education for underrepresented groups by requiring the institutions involved to draw up and implement access plans and equality policies.
(VB)
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More than €400,000 in funding has been secured for arts organisations, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys. The funding is being allocated as part of the Department's Small Capital Grants Scheme and will be used to support arts groups and venues. More than 60 organisations will benefit, with maximum grants of €10,000.
06 February 2008
'Student Support Bill Imperfect' - USI
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has hailed yesterday’s publication of the Student Support Bill as a major step forward – but called for centralisation of the grants system. The Bill responds to longstanding criticism of the student grants system.
'Student Support Bill Imperfect' - USI
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has hailed yesterday’s publication of the Student Support Bill as a major step forward – but called for centralisation of the grants system. The Bill responds to longstanding criticism of the student grants system.
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