Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons that were employed nationally in 2011 to assess student grant applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24666/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It is estimated that some 170 staff have been involved in the student grants administration function across 66 grant awarding bodies nationwide – 33 VECs and 33 local authorities. The single grant awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland, or SUSI, which has been established as a unit of the City of Dublin VEC, will operate with a whole time equivalent staffing of 65, thereby reducing the number of administration staff currently operating the system in the 66 grant awarding bodies significantly once the transition is complete. SUSI will commence operation of the nationwide online grant application system for all new grant applicants for the 2012/13 academic year.

The existing 66 grant awarding bodies will continue to deal with the renewal of applications for their existing grant-holders for the duration of their current courses.