Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
81. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the pursuit of radical reductions by his Department in public sector costs undermined the ability of SUSI to provide for vulnerable students in view of the claims made by the Union of Students in Ireland following an independent report conducted by Accenture. [25388/13]
View answerFor the 2012-13 academic year, Student Universal Support Ireland was staffed to the level that had been requested. For 2013-14, additional resources recommended by the Independent Review carried out by Accenture have already been sanctioned. The sanction of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was received on 15 May 2013 for 23 additional seasonal Clerical Officer level posts, thereby increasing the number of Whole Time Equivalents to 88. In addition, three management posts at Assistant Principal level have been approved. This will help to ensure qualifying students have their applications assessed as quickly as possible.
