Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which Student Universal Support Ireland has managed to deal with the total number of applications for higher education grants received in respect of the current academic year; the number of cases approved, refused or as yet undetermined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50293/13]
View answerI am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that overall the grant process has been running considerably more efficiently and SUSI has been meeting its targets in respect of processing grants on schedule in 2013/14. I understand that SUSI has awarded a total of some 40,000 student grants, both new and renewals, up to end-October 2013. As at close of business on 24th November, 2013, 71% of new applications and 96% of renewal applications have been processed to completion. Of these 31,931 new applications have been awarded or provisionally awarded and 20,017 renewal applications have been awarded. 16,879 new applications and 2,722 renewal applications have been refused or cancelled. SUSI is awaiting supporting documentation from 16,413 new applicants and 701 renewal applicants. The remaining students with outstanding documentation are being requested to return their documentation as soon as possible so that assessment of their applications can be completed.
