Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2013
82. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the problems with student grants have been fully resolved; if all students who have been approved for a student grant are now in receipt of payment; when the report of the inquiry into the student crisis will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12116/13]
View answerI understand from Student Universal Support Ireland that they are up to date with processing all complete applications. The current position on processing of grants by SUSI, as at close of business on 3rd March is that 55,921 applications have been processed to completion. SUSI is currently contacting applicants who have not completed their application to provide a final opportunity to submit outstanding documentation before the remaining incomplete applications are closed out. The vast majority of students awarded maintenance are already in payment. The remaining 2,070, the majority of whom were recently awarded, will be paid within the next two weeks depending on their submission of bank account details. An external review of SUSI's business processes is currently being undertaken to inform improvements in the system for the 2013/14 academic year. The proposed timeline for completion of the review is March 2013.
