Written answers
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Department of Education and Skills
Higher Education Grants
7:00 pm
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all student grant applications received by Mayo Vocational Education Committee for the 2011-12 academic year will be processed by Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38434/11]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of student grant applications received by Mayo Vocational Education Committee for the current academic year that have been fully processed to date; the numbers approved and the numbers refused a student grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38435/11]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications received this year for the student grant by Mayo Vocational Education Committee; the comparative figures for the number of applications received in the 2010-11 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38436/11]
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 to 63, inclusive, together.
Co. Mayo VEC has provided the statistical information sought by Deputy and this is contained in the following table.
The administration of the student grant application process is matter for the management of each grant awarding authority – in this case the Chief Executive Officer of the VEC. I am aware that the timing for processing student grants varies across the 66 grant awarding bodies depending on a number of factors including the volume of applications received, staffing resources and whether or not properly completed application forms have been submitted. Work prioritisation across different functions and how available staff are deployed to execute those functions by the management of the grant awarding authority also has a bearing as to when the process is completed in any given year. However, my Department constantly monitors the situation.
The Deputy will be pleased to know that plans are well underway to replace the 66 grant awarding bodies with one single authority and I have approved the appointment of the CDVEC to operate this centralised body.
The single authority will be operative from 2012 and I believe it will lead to a more efficient system for the processing of applications and improve the overall customer experience for those who apply for grants. I am sure the Deputy will agree this much needed overhaul of the grants system is a positive example of public sector reform.
New Applications | 2010/11As at 25/11/10 | 2011/12As at 25/11/11 |
Number Received | 1538 | 1553 |
Number Awarded Grant | 581 | 573 |
Number Refused Grant | 18 | 42 |
No. Awaiting Further Information | 0 | 149 |
No. Yet to be processed | 908 | 709 |
No. Cancelled/Withdrawn | 31 | 43 |
No. Transferred to other Authority | 0 | 37 |
Total | 1538 | 1553 |
Renewals | Received and processed in full year | |
Number Received | 1167 | 1231 |
Number Awarded | 1167 | 1226 |
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