Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
476. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Student Universal Support Ireland will not accept Department of Social Protection documentation as proof of address in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45331/14]
View answerAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
My Department has confirmed that, following an appeal to SUSI, the appeals section were in contact with the applicant referred to by the Deputy and that a decision of the appeal officer has yet to be made in this case.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
