Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the level of additional resources released by his Department to resolve the delay in processing student grant applications; the date by which all outstanding applications will be processed; and the support offered to students struggling financially to stay in education due to this delay. [52171/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In total, there is now 96 staff working in Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), 33 of which are permanent and 63 of which are temporary. 20 of the 63 temporary seasonal staff were recruited in the last two months.

SUSI is aiming to progress all applications received to date between now and the end of the year and is aiming to achieve a target of 33,000 awards in total by the end of the year and I expect that target to be met. SUSI is staffed to the level that has been requested and all the necessary resources should be in place to enable them to process applications to completion, subject to all the necessary documentation being in order to enable them to make a decision in each case.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) on foot of a request from my Department, has written to all higher education institutions requesting them to show flexibility and consideration, as most have done in the past, to students who may be awaiting a decision on their grant application and/or payment of grants. The HEA has requested institutions to consider not withdrawing facilities such as library or exam access, given that these students are awaiting decision on their grant applications. The situation is being kept under review.

In addition to the maintenance grant support is also available to students under the Student Assistance Fund which assists students in third-level institutions in exceptional financial need. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The Access Officers themselves will also continue to provide support and advice to students to enable them to continue with their studies. My Department has asked the Higher Education Authority for an up to date report on the demand for the scheme.