Student Grant Scheme Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Questions (270)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

270. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will have representatives from Student Universal Support Ireland contact school guidance counsellors to discuss the 2013-2014 grant application process; the reason a guidebook that was published last year has not been re-issued; and his views on whether it is acceptable that guidance counsellors who are tasked with providing advice to students are being curtailed from doing so by the lack of information being provided by the DES. [27029/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland that it is in ongoing contact with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors in relation to the student grant process. In fact, the President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is a member of the SUSI Advisory Group and SUSI representatives were invited to attended the Institute of Guidance Counsellors conference and gave a presentation on the SUSI grant application process. I understand from SUSI that the guidance notes to which the Deputy refers will be available to download from the www.susi.ie website from 11th June, 2013. My Department has responsibility for producing the statutory Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations. The scheme and regulations for the 2013/14 academic year were published by my Department on 16 May, 2013 and subsequently circulated to all major stakeholders including the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. Information on the Student Grant Scheme and access to the 2013/14 on line student grant application system are also made available through the Department's website at www.education.ie.