Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A rules-based system is important. While I agree that SUSI is rigid, the rules must be changed on this side of the desk and I am not sure whether Mr. Connolly has a role in that. Does he advise the Government on the statutory scheme that is published every year? Can Mr. Connolly comment on the reduction in the SUSI budget this year? Is that having an impact? The Estimate provided for SUSI by the Department of Education and Skills was down by €2 million from last year. Does Mr. Connolly expect that to get worse or better during the year? Can he outline the number of postgraduates who have received grants since that was restored as a result of the confidence and supply agreement? If there has been already a reduction this year and more postgraduates are coming into the system without a change in income thresholds etc., does SUSI expect a reduction in the overall number receiving grants?

I agree with a lot of the points that have been made. I encountered one case that I thought was very unfair. We all have cases like this. A parent got a bonus last year. Crazily, it was taken into account this year although it was a once-off bonus and it put this person over the threshold. I thought provisions for a change of circumstances would apply in that regard. It is having a profound effect. I also had a case concerning an inheritance. It could not be recorded as zero but it was a field which could not be sold. It was not accepted that it was of zero value and it put someone over the limit. I am sure someone would have taken it but it certainly was of no use to the family.

Moreover, in breach of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, legislation, SUSI requires Deputies - and presumably Senators - to provide consents for constituents. Under the GDPR legislation, SUSI can assume that we have the consent if we have the information and as such, we do not need to call punters to get forms. That is a mistake on SUSI's part. It is not required by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I am pushing back against a State body in this regard. If someone comes to us, SUSI is entitled to assume that we have his or her consent to make a representation.