Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Two brothers applied on the same day for maintenance grants and payment of registration fees. One application was awarded, but the other was denied. When the brother whose application had been denied queried the decision on the grounds of living in the same house, having the same income and being subject to the same means test, he was told that he did not satisfy the means test. When it was pointed out that his brother had received a grant, Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, checked the system and explained that his brother had actually been refused. His brother has received the registration fees and is in receipt of the maintenance grant. According to SUSI's central system, though, his application was refused and no money was provided.

In one situation, people are being told that they are not entitled to payment, yet are in receipt of it. In another, people are entitled to payment, yet are awaiting it. The system is a disaster.

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