Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures that he and his Department have recently put in place to ensure that the delays seen in the last academic year with the Student Universal Support Ireland are not repeated for the 2013/14 year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29391/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I am informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that in preparation for the 2013/2014 academic year both the on-line application system and the application assessment process have been 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 (GRO) and the Central Applications Office (CAO). These links should reduce significantly the number of documents required from applicants themselves.

Also additional staff resources have already been sanctioned which include three additional management posts and some 23 (whole time equivalent) additional processing staff. This will help to ensure that qualifying students have their applications assessed as quickly as possible. SUSI has also significantly developed its training programme to meet the training needs of new and existing staff.

The closing date will be a month earlier to facilitate earlier application and decision on a grant application. SUSI is also working closely with all third level institutions to improve the payment process for the 2013/14 academic year.