John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to address the issue of students waiting many months for grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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All of the additional resources requested by Student Universal Support Ireland to address the delays in the processing of student grant applications were approved. I understand from SUSI that grants processing is now largely up to date and that completed applications are being dealt with as they come in. Priority continues to be given to some 3,700 students who are due payment of their maintenance grant.

SUSI is also concentrating its efforts on ensuring that any student who has yet to complete their application is given the necessary support to do so. In the case of over 9,000 online applications students have never sent in any documentation and SUSI is engaging with those students to confirm closing out these applications. Documentation is outstanding in relation to the remaining 10,000 cases. This is similar to the position in previous years and SUSI is actively contacting these students to assist them with finalising their applications.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will introduce an administrative independent appeals and complaints mechanism for those students who are currently experiencing delays in students grants and who feel they have been unfairly refused a student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2689/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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An initial appeal to the relevant grant awarding authority is provided for under the Student Support Act 2011. This provides for a review of the decision by an appeals officer, independently of the original assessment process.

If the grant applicant is still not satisfied with the outcome of the initial appeal, a further appeal can be made to the Student Grants Appeals Board which is fully independent in the performance of its functions.

Student Universal Support Ireland operates a complaints procedure to facilitate applicants who may wish to lodge a complaint in connection with the manner in which they have been dealt with by the awarding authority or any of its support staff.