Student Grant Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2013

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Questions (42, 64, 77)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

42. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has confidence in City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee to continue to administer Student Universal Support Ireland for the 2013/14 academic year in view of the fact that the 2012/13 experience has been disruptive for students and their families; if he has explored alternative options for the delivery of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17440/13]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

64. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the review that has been established to examine the way Student Universal Support Ireland functioned in the past year; and the measures he is planning to introduce to ensure that there will be no repeat of the problems that characterised the awarding of third level grants by the new centralised awarding authority. [17575/13]

Denis Naughten

Question:

77. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps which he is taking to ensure that there is not a repeat of the failure by Student Universal Support Ireland to process 2012/13 higher education grant applications in a competent manner; the number of applicants who are still awaiting a final decision from SUSI; the number awaiting a decision on review; the number that are awaiting a decision on appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17438/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 64 and 77 together.

I understand from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that at close of business on 14th April 2013, 603 applications are currently with SUSI for processing, There are 100 appeals awaiting a decision and 90 applications awaiting a re-assessment following an appeal.

Up to 2011, students applied to their local authority or VEC for their grants. Some 66 grant awarding authorities were involved, all using a variety of application, assessment and payment processes. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) replaces all of these with a centralised, and on-line system of application. While there have been problems with the first year of the new system, I still believe that policy decision was correct, and that the establishment of a single grant awarding body will serve our students better in the long run. I am satisfied that City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee should continue to carry out this function for the coming 2013/14 academic year.

An external review of Student Universal Support Ireland's business processes is currently being undertaken to inform improvements in the system for the 2013/14 academic year. The review is at an advanced stage and is currently being finalised by Accenture the company carrying out the review.

In advance of the review, SUSI is currently undertaking a number of measures to improve the processing system for 2013/14. In order to reduce the volume of documents required to be supplied by applicants SUSI is currently liasing with other public service organisations such as Revenue and the CAO with a view to putting arrangements in place to facilitate block transfer of data directly from organisation to organisation in compliance with data protection requirements. It is also proposed that applicants will be able to track the progress of their application online.