Mr. Graham Doyle:

I thank the committee for inviting us to address it. I will outline SUSI's principal objectives and some of the improvements that have been made since we were established.

Our principal objectives are the delivery of a fully online grant application system for students; an integrated student helpdesk and document management services; a centralised assessment unit with automated processing systems to support consistency in the application of the student grant scheme and regulations; electronic payment of awarded grants to students and colleges; and cost minimisation through administrative efficiencies. To deliver on these objectives, we have made many improvements to our processes and procedures. Continual refinement of the online application process and the introduction of new services have made the grants system more accessible to students, while improved internal procedures and flexible staffing arrangements have streamlined and speeded up the assessment process to ensure that decisions can be given as early as possible. In particular, the introduction of direct data sharing with Departments and other agencies has significantly reduced the volumes of documents requested from students. Automated procedures have been implemented with colleges to confirm that students have been registered and can receive their grants quickly by electronic transfer. There are also efficiencies for more than 400 schools and colleges in dealing with SUSI as a single agency.

SUSI plays an important role in the provision of clear information for students regarding grant eligibility and the application process. The SUSI website provides a single point of information and we are represented at many college open days and national and regional career events. Our communications unit works closely with stakeholder groups, including student unions, parents, guidance counsellors and citizens’ information services, to ensure that information about student grants is widely available and accessible to all. Our online information services include a grant eligibility reckoner that is quick and easy to use and provides a useful starting point for those considering applying for a grant. In the particular context of today’s discussion, the functionality of the eligibility reckoner will be extended this year to provide an indication of eligibility based on a more detailed breakdown of income. Existing applicants can also follow the progress of their applications through a tracker in their SUSI account, and awarded students can view their scheduled grant payment dates and amounts. SUSI provides a comprehensive helpdesk service by telephone, e-mail and social media, as well as a service through which Oireachtas Members can make inquiries on behalf of grant applicants.

As reflected in our formal title of Student Universal Support Ireland, we seek to support students in gaining access to further and higher education by providing financial assistance in accordance with the provisions of the student grant scheme. The assessment of income is one of a number of eligibility criteria we are required to consider under the student grant scheme. As Mr. Power has already outlined the criteria, I do not propose rehearse them, but if members have any questions, I would be happy to address them.

For the purpose of considering whose income is taken into account for assessment, students are classified as either dependent applicants or independent applicants. Dependent applicants are assessed based on their own income and the income of their parents or legal guardians, whereas independent applicants are assessed based on their own income and the income of their spouse, cohabitant or civil partner. Income from all sources in respect of all relevant parties to a grant application is assessed to determine grant eligibility.

SUSI can verify details of income under data sharing arrangements implemented with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection through what we call our social welfare feed. This has led to significant reductions in the burden of documentary evidence for students and in the number of requests for additional information, thus leading to a more efficient processing of applications.

The scheme also provides that certain types of income can be disregarded or deducted to arrive at what is referred to in the legislation as reckonable income. These include a range of social welfare payments, Revenue-approved employment related expenses, holiday earnings, maintenance payments, pension contributions and non-recurring overtime. Following the application of any disregards or deductions, the assessed reckonable income is then measured against the prescribed income limits or thresholds set out in the scheme to determine the appropriate grant entitlement of the applicant. These thresholds may be increased in respect of dependent children and other relevant persons in full-time education. In addition, where the resulting assessed reckonable income is marginally in excess of a threshold limit, we will write to the student to request any other relevant information that may have a positive impact on the outcome of the application. If we are close to the threshold, we will always go back to the student. For example, we might try to take account of holiday earnings.

All income is assessed on a preceding year basis, that is, for the calendar year prior to the year of entry to college in respect of which the grant application is made. This is known as the reference period. However, the scheme also takes account of the possibility that a change in income following the reference period and up to the end of the academic year may have a significant bearing on the financial circumstances of the applicant. This is known as a change of circumstances and it allows income to be assessed on a current year basis. We provide an internal review mechanism whereby applicants can seek to have their grant application decision re-examined for the purpose of considering any change of circumstances or in respect of the assessed distance from home to college for the purpose of a maintenance grant.

Students who are not awarded a grant or who believe they may be entitled to a higher rate of grant may make a formal appeal to the appeals officer, who decides whether the application should be re-assessed by SUSI. In re-assessing applications on appeal, SUSI carries out a full re-examination of the application to identify whether there are any grounds, including on the basis of new information or change of circumstances, by which the original outcome can be improved. As I have already outlined in regard to the assessment of income both generally and in marginal cases, our approaches in providing the opportunity for internal review and in reviewing applications on appeal reflects an ethos of inclusion rather than exclusion which is central to our practice in the administration of the grant scheme.

I would be delighted to answer any questions members may have. We are currently preparing to open for our fourth year of grant application processing. We have received approximately 250,000 applications to date. The annual number of applications has increased from 70,000 in year one to an expected 115,000 applications in year four. We will be opening for applications in mid-April 2015, which is earlier than in previous years.

In our first three years of operation we awarded 170,000 grants. With these improvements, we have increased our throughput of grant applications, not only meeting but exceeding our performance targets under a management framework implemented with the Department of Education and Skills.