12 Samh 2012, 16:26
The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection will tomorrow meet with representatives of the Student Universal Support Ireland of the City of Dublin VEC Unit to consider the student grant application system.
12 November 2012
Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), administered by the City of Dublin VEC, was established to replace 66 local authorities and VECs as the single third level grant awarding authority in the state for the 2012/13 academic year.
SUSI is currently processing the grants for first-time applicants, while applications for existing grant holders continue to be processed by local authorities and VECs.
Chair of the Committee Joanna Tuffy TD says: “The meeting will examine the eligibility criteria currently in place for third level students applying for grant funding. There has been considerable delays in processing some applications this term. Our Committee will wish to explore the steps being taken to clear the backlog of up to 50,000 applications in the new system. Our Committee is concerned at the considerable strain on third level students and their families while they wait for a decision on their application for a grant, as well as for the funding to come through for successful applications.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 13 November at 11:30 a.m. in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000. Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link.
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies:
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Ray Butler, Fine Gael
Joan Collins, People Before Profit
Clare Daly, Independent
Brendan Griffin, Fine Gael
Simon Harris, Fine Gael
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fáil
Nicky McFadden, Fine Gael
Jonathan O'Brien, Sinn Féin
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Labour Party (Vice Chair)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin
Willie O’Dea, Fianna Fáil
Brendan Ryan, Labour Party
Joanna Tuffy, Labour Party (Chair)
Senators:
Jim D’Arcy
Fidelma Healy Eames
Marie Moloney
Marie Louise O’Donnell
Averil Power
Diarmuid Wilson