Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 January 2013
142. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to address the issue of students waiting many months for grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/13]
View answerAll of the additional resources requested by Student Universal Support Ireland to address the delays in the processing of student grant applications were approved. I understand from SUSI that grants processing is now largely up to date and that completed applications are being dealt with as they come in. Priority continues to be given to some 3,700 students who are due payment of their maintenance grant.
SUSI is also concentrating its efforts on ensuring that any student who has yet to complete their application is given the necessary support to do so. In the case of over 9,000 online applications students have never sent in any documentation and SUSI is engaging with those students to confirm closing out these applications. Documentation is outstanding in relation to the remaining 10,000 cases. This is similar to the position in previous years and SUSI is actively contacting these students to assist them with finalising their applications.
