Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Adams that this is an unacceptable position. This is the official position of both the Minister for Education and Skills and the Government. The Minister has already written to the CDVEC, which won the tender for this service, and instructed it to increase the personnel numbers to deal with the backlog. We have had similar issues before when various new structures were set up which were intended to deal with this professionally, competently and efficiently. Clearly, there are serious teething problems with this service. As I understand it, as of Monday, 12 November, the situation regarding the 66,000 applications is as follows: 20,000 are now complete and have been awarded, provisionally awarded or refused. Of the 8,000 grants awarded 3,010 have been paid into bank accounts, with approximately 5,000 awaiting bank details from students. Approximately 2,500 grants have been provisionally awarded, pending final confirmation of attendance from students, while 9,600 applications were refused or cancelled. SUSI is still awaiting documentation on almost 21,000 applications. Of these, 15,000 applicants have provided no documentation whatsoever and SUSI does not expect them ever to complete their applications. It is not, therefore, all one-sided. SUSI has 26,000 applications for processing at present and has a target of 5,030 decisions to be made on applications over the next week. If these targets are met, all successful applicants will receive their grants by the end of September.

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