The table below details the latest information on the number of new applications awaiting decisions. The information has been supplied to my Department by the local authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. The information in relation to the applications outstanding from previous years is not available in the format requested by the Deputy as the process of paying third level or further education grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. The timing of payment varies between the 66 awarding bodies depending on a number of variables including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been received.
Both VECs and local authorities are experiencing pressures due to the increased workload associated with the increased demand for student grants, particularly in the context of the recruitment moratorium in the public sector which, in some instances, will have impacted on the processing of grants. However, every effort is being made by these bodies to ensure that students get decisions on their grant applications and are paid as soon as possible.
Given the likelihood of further increases in the numbers of grant applications, my Department is working closely with local authorities, VECs and other relevant stakeholders to continue development of a number of initiatives to support more effective delivery of student grants, including service improvements in application, assessment and payments arrangements.
Work is currently being advanced on the development of a scaleable on-line applications facility in conjunction with a number of VECs and local authorities. Other measures include the introduction of a new, more simplified application form for 2010, earlier approval of the grant schemes, examination of the possible extension of the pilot electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments system introduced in 2009/2010 and the development of common annual renewal and re-assessment processes.
In addition, as part of the business process re-engineering exercise under way under the Transforming Public Services initiative, business process improvement techniques are being used to analyse ways in which the current assessment process can be handled more efficiently.
Number of new applications awaiting decisions in each VEC area as at May 2010
|
VEC
|
Number of Applications awaiting Decisions
|
Reason
|
|
Carlow
|
0
|
n/a
|
|
Cavan
|
72
|
As of March 5th 2010, no updated figure available.
|
|
Clare
|
106
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Cork City
|
153
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Cork County
|
739
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Donegal
|
120
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Dublin County VEC
|
505
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Dublin City
|
467
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Dún Laoghaire
|
20
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Galway County VEC
|
34
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
City of Galway VEC
|
17
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Kerry
|
51
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Kildare
|
90
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Kilkenny
|
82
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Laois
|
75
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Leitrim
|
24
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Limerick City
|
6
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Limerick County
|
89
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Longford
|
10
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Louth
|
7
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Mayo
|
83
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Meath
|
85
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Monaghan
|
77
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Offaly
|
2
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Roscommon
|
4
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Sligo
|
81
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Tipperary NR
|
3
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Tipperary SR
|
43
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Waterford City
|
2
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Waterford County
|
82
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Westmeath
|
96
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Wexford
|
18
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Wicklow VEC
|
193
|
outstanding documentation
|
|
Total
|
3,436
|
|
It is understood from the awarding authorities that the applications awaiting decisions are largely late applications.
Apart from the pressures associated with the volume of applications, a significant number of outstanding grant applications are delayed because they're not completed fully. It is important to remind students and their parents to return all necessary supporting documentation as early as possible to help the awarding bodies make prompt decisions on entitlement.
Number of new applications awaiting decisions in each local authority area as at March 2010
|
Local Authority
|
Number of Applications awaiting Decisions
|
Reason
|
|
Carlow
|
17
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Cavan
|
48
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Clare
|
128
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Cork City
|
3
|
Late applications & documentation outstanding
|
|
Cork Co
|
560
|
555 documentation outstanding & 5 processing yet to commence
|
|
Donegal
|
69
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Dublin City
|
149
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Dún Laoghaire
|
9
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Fingal Co Co
|
54
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Dublin South Co Co
|
12
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Galway Co
|
319
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Kerry
|
20
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Kildare
|
13
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Kilkenny
|
19
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Laois
|
0
|
|
|
Leitrim
|
12
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Limerick City
|
34
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Limerick Co
|
3
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Longford
|
23
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Louth
|
89
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Mayo
|
2
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Meath
|
22
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Monaghan
|
11
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Offaly
|
8
|
Processing yet to commence
|
|
Roscommon
|
15
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Sligo
|
32
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Tipperary NR
|
60
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Tipperary SR
|
37
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Waterford City
|
1
|
Processing yet to commence
|
|
Waterford Co
|
20
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Westmeath
|
42
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Wexford
|
48
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Wicklow
|
81
|
Documentation outstanding
|
|
Total
|
1,960
|
|
