Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of renewed students that have their completed documents with Student Universal Support Ireland awaiting final review, noting that these students provided their information by the deadline in June, and have now returned to college for over four weeks; the number of these returned students that have been asked to provide additional information and on what basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43837/13]

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

I have been informed by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that in 2012 SUSI processed almost 70,000 grant applications and awarded almost 40,000 grants. Over 23,000 of the students who were awarded grants in 2012 have so far re-applied for renewal of their grants in 2013. 21,652 of these applicants made their application by the closing date of 14th June. Late applications continue to be accepted by SUSI.

The SUSI grant renewal application process for 2013 is a fully on-line process and the majority of those who applied for renewal of their grant this year simply had to log in and confirm on-line that they were continuing in the same course and college and declare that their circumstances remained unchanged. 15,500 of renewing students had their grant applications renewed on-line in this way without the need to submit any further documents.

In view of changes made to the Student Grant Scheme eligibility criteria in 2013, over 8,000 renewal students required full reassessment. Documents were requested from these students. Documentation is currently awaited from 1,064 renewal students and a further 357 renewal students returned documentation within the past 2 weeks and are currently awaiting final review.

SUSI can only confirm the renewal of a grant to a student who has been confirmed as continuing in the same course and college, and SUSI can only pay a grant to a student who has been confirmed by their college as having registered and attending the course for which they have been awarded grant. SUSI is currently liaising with colleges on a daily basis to confirm the registration of students and SUSI commenced the payment of grants to renewal students on Friday 11 October. Further payments will be made as students are confirmed by their colleges as registered and attending their courses in the coming weeks.