Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
593. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the extent to which Student Universal Support Ireland continues to deal adequately with the administration of higher education grants; the number and nature of cases outstanding in respect of previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26416/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by SUSI that it received circa 104,000 applications for the 2014/15 academic year. As at 26 June 2015, 51 applications for the 2014/15 academic year have yet to be finalised. Of these, SUSI is awaiting documentation from the applicant in 33 cases, with the remaining 18 cases currently being reviewed by SUSI. The majority of these cases have already received a decision from SUSI and are currently the subject of an appeal/internal review. A small number of cases are awaiting a final decision due to the exceptional nature of the case or where a late application has been made.
Over the past two years, SUSI has dealt successfully with significant increases in the overall number of new and renewal applications whilst improving the quality of its service on an ongoing basis. SUSI has streamlined and simplified its grant application processes and improved its communications, stakeholder management and the customer experience. In particular, improved data sharing arrangements with other Departments and agencies have facilitated more accurate verification of information and significantly reduced the documentation burden for applicants.
