A Chara,- Billy Ryle (E&L, October 26th) calls for the introduction of a centralised scheme to deal with the payment of higher education grants. His call is not new. The Union of Students in Ireland and students' unions have recommended it for years and the de Buitleir report on student support mechanisms, established when Niamh Bhreathnach was Minister, urged such a simplification.
In September 1997, Micheal Martin announced that he was going to implement this suggestion. Andy Pollak covered the story on the front page of The Irish Times at the time. However, since the good publicity that he achieved at that time, the Minister has failed to take any action in this regard.
The introduction of such a centralised grants authority would mirror that of the Central Applications Office that deals with applications for college places. It would entail no loss of power on the part of local authorities (to whom students must currently apply) as they have no discretion concerning the payment of student grants, being obliged to followed centrally laid down regulations. As it would also cut down on the bureaucracy of a plethora of councils and VECs dealing with the applications and payments, it would save time and money, particularly where, for the summer months, local authority staff are often seconded into the grants section.
Most importantly, it would enormously benefit students and their families through a simplified system that would guarantee payment of a grant at the start of each term. - Is mise,
Malcolm Byrne, Gorey, Co Wexford.