Written answers

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Student Grant Scheme Design

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the measures which have been taken to address the problems encountered by students using the Student Universal Support Ireland online student grant application system; if he will confirm that a workable triage system has been incorporated into the process to handle the volume and urgency of individual applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25459/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I understand that a triage system exists in Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) to provisionally assess all online applications and to refuse those applications that clearly do not meet the qualifying criteria and do not need to go through the complete application process. While it is acknowledged that there were significant difficulties in the operation of the assessment processes last year, I am informed by SUSI that, in preparation for the 2013/2014 academic year, both the on-line application system and the application assessment process are being further developed to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency and respond to experiences from year one.

For applicants applying through SUSI for the 2013/14 academic year, a number of new initiatives will make their application more efficient this year. The initiatives include direct information sharing between SUSI and Government bodies and agencies including the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Social Protection, the General Register Office and the Central Applications Office. These links should reduce significantly the number of documents required from applicants themselves.

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