Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 April 2014
87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he will re-examine the structures of Student Universal Support Ireland and the inadequacy of the existing structures to deal with the volume of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16995/14]
View answerFor the 2013/14 academic year the grants administration process has undergone significant development to enhance its effectiveness and deal with the difficulties experienced in its first year of operation. SUSI implemented a number of initiatives recommended by an independent review. These included direct information sharing with Government bodies and other agencies including the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection and the CAO. I understand that these links significantly reduced the number of documents required from students in processing grant applications compared with the 2012/13 academic year. SUSI has been operating considerably more efficiently and has been meeting its targets in respect of processing grants on schedule in 2013/14. There will be an ongoing focus on work to continually improve the system, particularly relating to the processes and systems in operation. In this regard, SUSI is currently developing a programme of further changes and improvements to provide enhanced services to grant applicants for the coming academic year.
The measures under consideration are: earlier opening of the grants online system to facilitate earlier acceptance of grant applications, enhanced application form functionality, improvements to workflows and streamed processing for the different types of applications received by SUSI, improved website information, enhanced direct communications and information exchange between applicants and SUSI using new technology and the further extension of data-sharing arrangements between SUSI and Government Departments and agencies to reduce the amount of documentation sought from applicants.
