In response to the massive delays faced by students applying for higher education grants through the new Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) system, local TD Denis Naughten has written to the Chairperson of the Committee on Education and Social Protection to recommend that the committee call an emergency meeting to address this issue as soon as possible.

In his letter Denis Naughten said: “During the crisis which arose due to the backlog of medical card applications, we on the Committee for Health and Children took a very proactive approach to the problem. I would implore you, and your fellow Committee members, to replicate this by calling representatives of SUSI before an emergency meeting, to demand answers and to outline what actions they are taking to immediately address this chaotic backlog.”

Explaining the need for such a robust response, Denis Naughten concluded his letter by saying; “students and their families need answers, not only to individual applications, but also as to why the system has failed and what measures are being taken to address this situation.”

In response to the letter, the Committee Chairperson, Joanna Tuffy TD, confirmed that the Committee would be meeting with representatives of SUSI early next week.

-ENDS-