Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013
289. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of student grant applications refused in 2012/2013; the percentage rate of refusal over the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7156/13]
View answerI understand from data supplied by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that of the new student grant applications processed to date to completion, some 23% were refused in respect of the 2012/13 academic year.
A survey completed by the 66 grant awarding authorities (33 local authorities and 33 VECs) in January each year provides details in relation to processing of grant applications as at the third week in January. Data compiled from this survey shows that of new applications processed to completion at that time in each of the previous four academic years some 17% were refused in 2011/12, some 20% in 2010/11, some 15% in 2009/10 and some 15% in 2008/09. This data has been compiled from data supplied to my Department by the 66 grant awarding authorities.
It should be noted that the data supplied by SUSI in relation to new applications in the 2012/13 academic year is not directly comparable as the SUSI data is at a more advanced time in the academic year.
