'Chaotic start' to grant applications

Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has expressed concern over the latest debacle involving SUSI applications ahead of the new academic year.

Reacting to news that SUSI has been forced to extend its application deadline due to ‘technical difficulties’, Deputy Troy said the chaotic start for this year’s applications does not bode well.

“I very much hope this is just a temporary glitch and not a sign of more chaos to come,” said Deputy Troy.

“The SUSI system was a complete disaster last year, causing serious problems for thousands of students across the country. We have been reassured by the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn that these issues have been addressed and students will not face the same level of difficulties this year. That is why it’s particularly disappointing that thousands of students applying to SUSI ahead of yesterday’s deadline were unable to do so after the website crashed.

“SUSI is an online grant application system and it only stands to reason that it would face increased traffic ahead of the deadline. This should have been anticipated and arrangements made to ensure the website could handle the level of applications. It is basic common sense.

“This system is now in its second year and there is no excuse for the kind of chaos and upheaval we saw last year. The onus is on Minister Quinn to take charge of the situation and personally see to it that students who are entitled to a grant receive it without unnecessary delays this year.”

Students who want to avoid the headaches of last year in relation to college grants will be glad to hear of a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) evening in Mullingar.

Billed as an “informal information evening”, the event has been organised by TD Robert Troy, and the speakers are to include Andrew Slevin, deputy president of AIT’s Students Union and Cat O’Driscoll, academic officer with the Students Union of Ireland.

It will advise students going to college this year on how to get their SUSI grant applications through in a manner that will head off some of the headaches that bedevilled last year’s process. The meeting is taking place at 8pm in the Youth Cafe, Spoutwell Lane, Mullingar.