Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012
246. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students in total that have applied for a third level maintenance grant under Student Universal Support Ireland since it became operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46118/12]
View answer247. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who have applied for the maintenance grant under the Student Universal Support Ireland; the number that have received confirmation that their application was approved; the number who have received their first instalment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46119/12]
View answer248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date upon which students began to receive approval of their grant application form Student Universal Support Ireland; the dates of the period whereby the majority of those in receipt of grants under SUSI gained approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46120/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 248, inclusive, together.
56,604 on-line student grant applications were submitted to Student Universal Ireland (SUSI) by the official closing date which was 31st August 2012. SUSI is currently accepting applications after the official closing date in line with the discretion given to it under the Student Grant Scheme 2012. An additional 8,731 late applications have been received since the closing date. Priority is being given to applications received before the official closing date.
SUSI has completed initial assessments on a total of 60,227 of applications which have been approved to move to the documentary evidence stage of the process. 5,108 applications submitted after the official closing date are awaiting initial assessment.
Decisions have issued in respect of 13,486 applications, 3,795 of which have already been awarded a grant and 9,691 of which have either been refused or cancelled, where adequate documentary evidence has been submitted to enable a final decision to be made on an application. Students began to receive grant approval letters from SUSI on a rolling basis from 5th October.
As part of the overall improvement in service, all new student grants approved for this academic year will be paid by electronic funds transfer on a monthly basis directly to students' bank accounts, rather than by cheque to the relevant college. Those awarded a grant must supply bank account details and confirmation of registration must be received from the institution in order for the first instalment to be paid. Payments to students have commenced and will continue on a weekly rolling basis as grants are approved and bank details have been supplied by the student. Some 663 students received payment directly to their bank account on the 19th October.
