“The Department of Education has said is open to a student grant system where applicants might not have to submit a raft of documents in order to make it more efficient …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 23 May]
“Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action has he taken to improve the processing system for student grant applications; the recommendations of the external review of Student Universal Support Ireland’s business processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 21 May]
“Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is confident that the delays experienced in processing student grants in the past academic year will be avoided next term; and if he will outline changes in policy and practice that will ensure similar delays do not occur …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 21 May]
“Slow allocation of staff, poor communication, and inadequate planning were among the main causes of delay to thousands of student grants, an independent review has reported …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 18 May]
“A new-look, centralised system for processing student grants, SUSI, will open on Monday for the next academic year, as an independent report pinpoints what went wrong with it last autumn, writes Katherine Donnelly …” (more)
[Independent, 18 May]
“The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has denounced Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, following the findings of an independent report by Accenture. The report, launched today, shows that the Minister failed vulnerable students in blind pursuit of public sector savings …” (more)
[Union of Students in Ireland, 17 May]
“Additional staffing to deal with student grant applications and reduced documentation requirements were promised yesterday after publication of a report into the serious delays which had caused hardship and uncertainty for many students left without cash …” (more)
[Fiona Gartland, Irish Times, 17 May]
“Senator Marie Moloney has welcomed today’s review report on the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). The independent review by Accenture has identified a number of recommendations for the student grant awarding authority to address …” (more)
[The Labour Party, 17 May]
“more the 2,200 students are still awaiting grants as the college year ends because of problems with the Susi processing system. Fianna Fáil education spokesperson Charlie McConalogue branded the situation unacceptable this close to end of the college year …” (more)
[Shaun Connolly, Irish Examiner, 14 May]
“The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Charlie McConalogue has revealed that there are still more than 2,200 students waiting for grants as the college year comes to an end …” (more)
[Donegal Daily, 13 May]
“Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will explain the position that many students at Athlone Institute of Technology are now facing due to ongoing problems with the Student Universal Support Ireland …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 9 May]
“Over 2,200 students remain without their college grants as the academic year for 2012/2013 draws to a close …” (more)
[TheJournal.ie, 8 May]
“Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants for third level education grants nationally; the number of students that have been paid grants and college fees to date; the number that were refused; the up to date position regarding the number of students who sought to appeal and are accepted as valid appeals; the number of students that have been requested to supply further information on their claim to proceed or to confirm that they are still seeking a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 7 May]
“Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of existing personnel who have gained experience administering third level grants under Student Universal Support Ireland during the past 12 months that are to be retained by SUSI for the 2013/14 academic year; and the total number of personnel to be employed by SUSI to process grants when the new cycle of grant applications commence …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 1 May]
“Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm when the external review of the central online system for student grant applications Student Universal Support Ireland will be completed; the higher education section of his Department confirmed on 25 April 2013 that the report has yet to be finalised …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 30 April]
“Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider altering the definition of a dependent student for the purposes of the student grant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the definition in its current form leads to unfairness when those under the age of 23 years receive no financial support from their parents/legal guardians; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 23 April]
“Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications to Student Universal Support Ireland that are still awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 23 April]
“Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who qualified for a student maintenance grant in each of the past five academic years, detailed by the level of award and the awarding authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 23 April]
“Growing numbers of students need a grant to get through college as family incomes tighten further …” (more)
[Independent, 22 April]
“Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students enrolled in higher education; the number of grant applications received for the current academic year from students living in Wicklow to Student Universal Support Ireland, Wicklow VEC and Wicklow County Council; the number of successful applicants; the number of grants remaining to be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 16 April]
