Written Answers Nos. 150-155
150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of section 29 appeals arising from school enrolment issues noted at primary and secondary level throughout County Kildare; the number of those granted, refused or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15974/15]
View answerThe specific information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The table below sets out the number of appeals nationally lodged in my Department.
Section 29 appeals in respect of refused enrolment
|
Calendar year 2014 |
Number of appeals lodged |
Resolved or Withdrawn |
Upheld at hearing |
Not upheld at hearing |
|
Primary |
131 |
73 |
19 |
39 |
|
Post Primary |
214 |
97 |
40 |
77 |
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which all outstanding applications for higher education grants for the 2014-15 academic year have been approved, rejected or are pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15976/15]
View answerI am informed by SUSI that as at 19th April 2015 a total of 103,732 grant applications have been received in respect of the 2014/15 academic year. Of these 74,885 have been awarded, 28,561 refused or cancelled and 286 are pending. Of the 286 applications pending, 230 are currently under appeal and SUSI is working closely with the remaining applicants in relation to outstanding documentation.
153. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the failure by her Department to respond to a request for an extension to a school transport service; when this was received by her Department; if she will approve the extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15983/15]
View answerBus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and for the designation of pick-up and set-down points.
In this regard, Bus Éireann has confirmed that they received a request regarding an extension to the existing service and they will contact the family in question shortly.
154. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 696 of 15 April 2015, when the re-tendering process will commence in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; when the re-tendering process will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15984/15]
View answerThe re-tendering process for approx. 2,900 schools is due to commence in the next two weeks, Naomh Bridhid will be included in these schools. All responses will be received by the end of June and the results of the tendering process will be known shortly thereafter.
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, who holds a stamp 4, qualifies for a higher education grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15990/15]
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 inquiries about their grant applications.
This service compliments 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.
Inquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. SUSI is responding to email queries within a matter of days.
