“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 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]
“Today is a landmark day in the history of the Office of the Ombudsman. Almost 25 years since it was first proposed, the commencement date for the Ombudsman Amendment Act 2012 has arrived …” (more)
[Emily O'Reilly, Irish Times, 1 May]
“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 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]
“Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills the action he has taken to improve the processing system for student grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 16 April]
“As the academic year comes to a close and exam season is upon us many students will be wondering if they can afford to return next September? With assignments such as reports, essays and examination preparation looming over student’s minds as end of year deadlines are coming ever nearer …” (more)
[Clare Daly, 15 April]
“Almost 15,000 people who began the application process for a student grant have cancelled their claims. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) has paid out grants and fees to just over 36,500 of around 65,400 who applied since last summer for help from the €360m student support budget …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 15 April]
“Almost 7% of likely student grant recipients have yet to finalise their claims, as a review into the failings of the new application system nears completion. Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) said it had awarded a grant or paid fees for 37,623 applicants up to last Friday …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 29 March]
“Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students whose grant applications have been awarded, refused, paid, awarded and awaiting payment, and awaiting further documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 27 March]
“Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the way the decision to award the administration of student grants to Student Universal Support Ireland was made in 2012; if any outside consultancy firm was asked to review the systems proposed for administering grants in each tender; if any independent agency gave a value for money review of each tender received; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 27 March]
