Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would love to say that I am satisfied but I cannot do so because I do not know. I have spoken with the chief executive of SUSI, Jacinta Stewart, and I heard all the questions that members of the committee put to her. She was accompanied by just two officials to assist her in responding to questions. My priority is to ensure that every student who is entitled to a grant and has applied through the new system receives a payment before Christmas. I am not going to divert the energy of the organisation into a post-mortem or inquiry when it is in the middle of delivering acknowledgements. A large number of students have not yet responded, however, and the principal officer from the City of Dublin VEC is wondering whether an e-mail should be sent to these students to find out whether they intend to proceed with their applications.

My priority is to fix the system as best we can and to introduce certainty as quickly as we can. The target is 33,000 between now and Christmas. I hope we can reach it but I cannot say with certainty that we will do so. I will be having a conversation with SUSI and, on foot of this Legislature stating publicly and democratically that we have a problem, I will ask officials whether they need additional resources. If they need resources I will ensure they are made available.

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