Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Make SUSI accountable

«1

Comments

  • #2
    Fatboydim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭Fatboydim


    Letter sent.


  • #3
    AlexDublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭AlexDublin


    This is great!!!


  • #4
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Someone was asking me by PM about how to go about contacting them

    Here's a suggested letter - which I would reccomend that you add to or change or amend

    PLEASE CHANGE THIS AROUND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. TDs TAKE MORE NOTICE OF NON STANDARDISED EMAILS LETTERS
    To:

    Dear all

    I am Contacting you as members of the Oireachtas committee on education and social protection. I understand that representatives of City of Dublin VEC/Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) will be before the committee on Tueday 13th November

    Like many other students I have experienced many delays in the system (insert personal information about what happened between you and SUSI)

    This has caused me a great deal of stress/anxiousness etc (insert personal story)

    I would like that you as TDs/Senators do the following

    1; Make sure SUSI know how much stress (financial, personal, educational) their systems are causing
    2; Ask SUSI what plans they have to work through the back log
    3; Ask SUSI why so many students documents are being lost in the system (as reported anecdotally on boards.ie)
    3; AsK that SUSI have operational plans for improvement in this years processing of grants and also a vastly improved plan for next year

    I look forward to your response


    Yours Sincerely

    Mango salsa

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #5
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    It seems but hasn't been confirmed that SUSI is not covered by the ombudsman.

    If this is true then this is a very very very serious problem.

    I would suggest people sending emails to include this in their emails and letters.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #6
    ditzyfairy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 145 ✭✭ditzyfairy


    email sent, i basically wrote about my own experience and how so many people were being forced out of college because of the delays. I sent it to my local TD and stated that I was in their constituency so i better get a response


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    ditzyfairy wrote: »
    email sent, i basically wrote about my own experience and how so many people were being forced out of college because of the delays. I sent it to my local TD and stated that I was in their constituency so i better get a response

    The committee members need to get as many of these as possible before Tuesday. An email to your local TD is useful but it's more infulential if it goes to all of the committee members. I would suggest (but's it's up to you) forwarding the email that you sent your local TD to all of the committee members.

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #8
    ditzyfairy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 145 ✭✭ditzyfairy


    mango salsa wrote: »
    The committee members need to get as many of these as possible before Tuesday. An email to your local TD is useful but it's more infulential if it goes to all of the committee members. I would suggest (but's it's up to you) forwarding the email that you sent your local TD to all of the committee members.

    Ah the TD is a member of the committee, I might forward it on to the rest of them though


  • #9
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    ditzyfairy wrote: »
    Ah the TD is a member of the committee, I might forward it on to the rest of them though

    That would be a good idea

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #10
    bluesea
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭bluesea


    I have send off an email to the above list of people to express my fustration with several recommendation for next year and I asked some serious questions about the operation of this year's process.


  • #11
    AL93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23 ✭AL93


    I sent an email earlier today and i just got a reply from one of them saying that my points will be noted at the meeting :)


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    donalfo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 148 ✭✭donalfo


    I did send an e-mail to Ruari Quinn and just got a bog-standard auto response. Cheers Mango Salsa, I feel now that I have a chance to vent my anger and frustration and hopefully some of this mess can get sorted. It's going to be a long letter with all of the problems I (like so many others) have had and still have with this shambles. Thanks again OP.


  • #13
    Rickwellwood
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 240 ✭✭Rickwellwood


    email sent


  • #14
    Dietsquirt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 676 ✭✭✭Dietsquirt


    Email sent


  • #15
    donalfo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 148 ✭✭donalfo


    Long e-mail sent, phew i'm wrecked now. Nice to get that rant out of my system, hopefully I get more than a auto-response.


  • #16
    AlexDublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭AlexDublin


    Strongly worded email sent. VERY long!

    Was good to get it all out. LOL


  • #17
    Deirdre5
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 450 ✭✭Deirdre5


    Sent off an email yesterday and have so far received a response from my local TD saying all my points will be raised at the meeting. :) Hopefully this will be a positive step forward.


  • #18
    bluesea
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭bluesea


    I have heard back from one of the members who happens to be my local TD, he has promised to raise all my points and recommendations for the future.


  • #19
    rjudge1994
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34 ✭rjudge1994


    email sent :)


  • #20
    Maggie 2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭Maggie 2


    e-mails sent and 3 replies received! All will raise our concerns on Tuesday. Fingers crossed!


  • #21
    Rickwellwood
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 240 ✭✭Rickwellwood


    emails sent to all contacts and three replies - very encouraging replies also in fairness so hopefully these SUSI people now will get a proper grilling on Tuesday morning


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Out of interest which TDs/Senators have replied?

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #23
    Fatboydim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭Fatboydim


    I have had replies from Willie O'Dea, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, Brendan Griffin and Charlie McConalogue so far.


  • #24
    Maggie 2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭Maggie 2


    mango salsa wrote: »
    Out of interest which TDs/Senators have replied?
    Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, Brendan Griffin and Charlie McConalogue


  • #25
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Brilliant guys

    I think this is great. Anyone who hasn't done so - still time time to send an email tonight and tomorrow.

    You will also be able to watch the committee meeting live on Tuesday.

    http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #26
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    At the moment it is scheduled for 11:30am on Tuesday morning in Committee Room 3

    http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=22111&&CatID=60

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #27
    BrianDug
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 163 ✭✭BrianDug


    email sent


  • #28
    Nicole.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 265 ✭✭Nicole.


    I've got a reply from Charlie McConalogue and Brendan Griffin which I think is great considering that I only sent the email around 5pm today.


  • #29
    bluesea
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭bluesea


    Charlie McConagolue has been very proactive on this issue, at least someone is trying to do something about the mess. I was astonishd to hear the figures of those applications yet to be checked.



  • #30
    GismoBaby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 226 ✭✭GismoBaby


    mango salsa wrote: »
    Out of interest which TDs/Senators have replied?

    Email sent at 9.30 last night. Charlie McConalogue replied at 10.20 - not an auto response either. Very impressed with his reply hopefully something will come of it now! No response from anyone else so far!


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    head_honcho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 224 ✭✭head_honcho


    Email sent! thanks to mango salsa for this.


  • #32
    cono121
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 164 ✭✭cono121


    done!


  • #33
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    Hi everyone

    Another very important issue

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=81704589&postcount=381

    Accountability has gone backwards

    Local authorities who paid grants were covered by the Ombudsman and you could complain about maladministstration

    You cannot complain now about SUSI

    Please include this in your email that accountability has gone backwards

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #34
    Rickwellwood
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 240 ✭✭Rickwellwood


    Good replies from Brendan Griffin, Averil Power and Charlie Mc Conalogue - i've sent another email highlighting the unacceptable Ombudsman situation too.


  • #35
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    If you are emailing re SUSI/ombudsman.

    It's important to state that previously grant administration was something that the ombudsman could investigate so accountability and transparency have gone backwards

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #36
    bluesea
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭bluesea


    Charlie McConalogue replied in his email that he will also ensure to raise the issue of whether the ombudsman covers SUSI.


  • Advertisement
  • #37
    rjudge1994
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34 ✭rjudge1994


    received an email back from Clare Daly, Willie O'Dea, brendan griffin,Fidelma healy eames,Averil power and Charlie McConalogue :)


  • #38
    PlainP
    Closed Accounts Posts: 714 ✭✭✭PlainP


    So far, replies from Averil Power, Willie O Dea, Fidelma Healy Eames and Clare Daly

    I sent my email at 10.22 this morning. I'm hoping for more over the next few hours.


  • #39
    cono121
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 164 ✭✭cono121


    PlainP wrote: »
    So far, replies from Averil Power, Willie O Dea, Fidelma Healy Eames and Clare Daly

    I sent my email at 10.22 this morning. I'm hoping for more over the next few hours.

    Yes same here.


  • #40
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    It also seems that SUSI might be withholding payment until they receive attendance records.

    Someone should ask the committee members to ask SUSI what the position on this is

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #41
    head_honcho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 224 ✭✭head_honcho


    mango salsa wrote: »
    It also seems that SUSI might be withholding payment until they receive attendance records.

    Someone should ask the committee members to ask SUSI what the position on this is

    would it be worth checking with my college to see if they've sent off attendance records and that is some of the hold-up, do you think?


  • Advertisement
  • #42
    Annasopra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,158 ✭✭✭✭Annasopra


    head_honcho wrote: »
    would it be worth checking with my college to see if they've sent off attendance records and that is some of the hold-up, do you think?

    Possibly - I'm not really sure how this works

    It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone's fault. If it was us, what did that make Me? After all, I'm one of Us. I must be. I've certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No one ever thinks of themselves as one of Them. We're always one of Us. It's Them that do the bad things.

    Terry Pratchet



  • #43
    pauly58
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 281 ✭✭pauly58


    Just had an email from Charlie McConalogue, he will be on Frontline tonight 10.35 to raise the problems with susi.


  • #44
    donalfo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 148 ✭✭donalfo


    I am very surprised that I have got responses from actual people. Very impressed with the response that I have got from 6 of the TDs so far, it sounds like someone is going to have to explain what the hell is going on.


  • #45
    Jwacqui
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,772 ✭✭✭Jwacqui


    Email sent hopefully this will get us somewhere!!


  • #46
    bluesea
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭bluesea


    It gets more interesting!

    Wayne Flanagan Tobin, former Youth Information Officer at Bray youth Service
    (Sept 2011-Sept 2012) has strongly critised SUSI for holding secret
    briefings with Citizens' Information Officers and not relying information to
    Youth Centres and Youth Organisations who he claims were duped by CDVEC.

    http://www.indymedia.ie/article/102695


  • #47
    Maggie 2
    Closed Accounts Posts: 211 ✭✭Maggie 2


    rjudge1994 wrote: »
    received an email back from Clare Daly, Willie O'Dea, brendan griffin,Fidelma healy eames,Averil power and Charlie McConalogue :)
    Same here.
    Great to see proper replies, not automated ones. Restores some faith in our elected reps!


  • #48
    rjudge1994
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34 ✭rjudge1994


    mango salsa wrote: »
    Hi all

    Took this from another thread

    The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection will meet on 13 November with SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to discuss delays in student grant applications

    http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/educationandsocialprotection/

    This is YOUR chance to get some accountability

    Contact these TDs and Senators. Tell them the problems you have had with delays, problems

    http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/oireachtasbusiness/committees_list/educationandsocialprotection/members/

    Email addresses

    James.Bannon@oir.ie, Ray.Butler@oir.ie, Joan.Collins@oir.ie, Clare.Daly@oir.ie, Brendan.Griffin@oir.ie, Simon.harris@oir.ie, Derek.Keating@oir.ie, Charlie.McConalogue@oir.ie, Nicky.McFadden@oir.ie, Jonathan.OBrien@oir.ie, Willie.ODea@oir.ie, Aodhan.oriordain@oir.ie, Aengus.osnodaigh@oir.ie, Brendan.Ryan@oir.ie, joanna.tuffy@oir.ie, Jim.darcy@oir.ie, fidelma.healy.eames@oir.ie, marie.moloney@oir.ie, marielouise.odonnell@oir.ie, averil.power@oir.ie, diarmuid.wilson@oir.ie

    Email the TDs/Senators this week with your experiences - tell them about all the phone calls, lost documents etc

    Anybody know if they meetings televised or is there anywhere to view it??


  • #49
    bluesea
    Closed Accounts Posts: 54 ✭✭bluesea


    rjudge1994 wrote: »
    Anybody know if they meetings televised or is there anywhere to view it??

    mango salsa wrote: »
    At the moment it is scheduled for 11:30am on Tuesday morning in Committee Room 3

    http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=22111&&CatID=60


  • #50
    AlexDublin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 112 ✭✭AlexDublin


    bluesea wrote: »
    http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=22111&&CatID=60

    yeah and on that webpage the SUSI part has a T beside it. Meaning it will be televised.

    http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/


  • #51
    cottage garden
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12 ✭cottage garden


    I have sent an email to the TDs on the committee and others I feel should be aware of this debacle. In it I have pointed out the unfortunate similarities in the operation of the new Susi Grant System to the operation of the Disability Benefit Application system. Unfortunately my experiences to date of both processes now lead me to believe the agenda in these departments appears to be delay as long as possible in the hope that people will give up or become so frustrated , exhausted and demoralised and thus give up fighting for our entitlements in this crazy system we accept from these departments:(!


  • Advertisement
Advertisement