Student Grant Scheme Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Questions (185)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

185. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who had been awarded grants from Student Universal Support Ireland but not yet received a payment from SUSI as of 1 December 2013. [52732/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Officials in my Department have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that 3,217 applicants were awarded a grant but not yet in payment as at 1 December 2013. Over 600 of these applicants are not in payment due to lack of bank details or incorrect bank details entered by the applicant. The balance of students awaiting payment are recently awarded applicants for whom the registration confirmation is awaited from their colleges prior to being approved for payment. The Deputy will be aware from his visit to SUSI that, when an applicant is awarded a grant, a verification file is sent to the applicant's college to confirm registration. This process takes a maximum of 10 working days.