Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ms Stewart indicated that the publication of the grants scheme this year was two weeks ahead of its publication last year, which is welcome, but does she agree that this is still later than required to ensure the grants process moves as smoothly as possible? This has been a problem over the years but it has been a problem again last year and this year. Did Ms Stewart request the grant scheme from the Department by a particular date? What target date does she expect to give the Department for next year? It is a matter for the Department to publish it, but as the primary grant awarding body in the country which is responsible for ensuring this operates smoothly, I would imagine and expect that SUSI should indicate to the Department when it needs that grant scheme. When would that date be for next year?