Written answers

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Admissions

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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462. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a mature student grant applicant (details supplied) in County Kerry who has established independent residency has had their application disallowed; if this decision will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57516/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications. This service compliments the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days. With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student outlined by the Deputy applied to SUSI as an independent mature student. According to SUSI, evidence of independent residency could not be established. The student exhausted the SUSI appeals process and on the 16th November 2021 the applicant contacted Support Desk to cancel her application. The application was cancelled and a letter confirming same was sent. The issue of independent applicants is an issue consistently raised with me and I intend to engage with my officials on this matter.

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