Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2012
91. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51870/12]
View answerAn integral part of the overall plan for the reform of the administration of student grants is to move on an incremental basis to an earlier grant application process, with a view to ensuring earlier decisions on grant applications, and more timely payment of grants. Opening the application process early would enable the necessary information to be submitted, so that an application can then be assessed against the published scheme and regulations. This would assist with alleviating financial pressure on students, and consequently relieve pressure on the Student Assistance Fund. While the current priority for Student Universal Ireland (SUSI) is to deal with the current processing backlogs which have arising in the first year of operation of a single agency, my Department will be liaising closely with SUSI with regard to moving towards a situation of applications and earlier decisions and resulting earlier payments, over a transitional period.
My Department endeavours each year to the earliest possible publication of the Student Support Scheme and Regulations.
