Grant clinics set up as students still await payment

Student grant clinics have been set up in colleges as thousands still await their grants to be paid or appeals to be finalised.

The move, in conjunction with local student unions, is being organised by Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi), which faces an independent review after the huge backlogs and delays that hit applicants in its first year of operation.

About 35,000 first-year students are expected to benefit under the grant system, but just 23,454 had been paid up to Wednesday, with 2,520 due a grant once Susi gets their bank details. Another 6,833 who did not qualify for a grant have had some or all of their €2,500 student fees paid by Susi.