Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
599. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will provide a detailed explanation about the ongoing technical issues with a new student record system at TU Dublin affecting all five campuses; of the 321 unregistered TU Dublin students impacted, if these students are still eligible to apply for SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2934/26]
View answer600. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department can take to support further and higher education students who because of college or university technical problems are unable to register and therefore cannot access their SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2935/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 599 and 600 together.
I will respond to this question along with related PQ 2935/26. As is appropriate for an anonymous higher education institution, TU Dublin independently procured a project for a new Student Records Management System (SRMS) through EduCampus centralised procurement frameworks. The project is being delivered by TU Dublin in conjunction with EduCampus and the Department has no role in its delivery or implementation.The Department was made aware of issues with student registrations on the new Student Records Management System (SRMS) late last year. Subsequently, an update on the project was provided by TU Dublin and its governing authority to the HEA in December 2025. At this point my Department understands that registration has been confirmed for the majority of students, including students who may be eligible for SUSI maintenance grant applicants. TU Dublin has advised that it is actively working to rectify all issues as a matter of priority; a contingency plan is also in place with respect to exams, progression and testing.TU Dublin and SUSI have worked closely to ensure registration confirmation is returned for eligible students to receive their maintenance grant payment. As at the 8th January 2026 SUSI have received a registration decision for 5,185 students attending TU Dublin. Confirmation in respect of circa 320 maintenance students is still awaited. However, there can be a number of reasons for a pending registration decision including for example, some students may not attend their course while others may be repeating a year and are no longer eligible for funding. I would encourage any student who is attending TU Dublin and awaiting registration confirmation to receive a maintenance grant, to get in touch with TU Dublin immediately. TU Dublin have made efforts to contact over 300 students who have yet to register through email and text and are attempting to engage with any student who has been unable to register to date.
