Student Grants Online TPS Conference on eGovernment 18 th January, 2011 Brian Power, Principal Officer Department of Education and Skills

2 Number of Student Grant Schemes 4 HEG : VEC : TLT : PLC Number of Grant Agencies 66 Number of Grantholders 70,000 Number of New Applications 56,000 Number of New Awards 30, Budget Outturn €362m BACKGROUND Student Grants – The Numbers

3 Existing schemes reflect the incremental and sector- based growth of higher and further education in Ireland Multiplicity of agencies Administratively inefficient Open to abuse Causes customer confusion Lacks consistency of application Results in late payment of grants BACKGROUND The Need for Reform

4 Simplification: One Scheme, One Source Improved efficiency of administration More consistent application of the scheme Greater transparency of processes Increased automation More information – studentfinance.ie Greatly enhanced service for students Student Support BillReform Objectives

5 Student Grants Reform Programme Modernisation/Automation Paper driven inefficiencies – data input requirement Up to 60% return rate for incomplete forms Public Expectation EU Benchmarking Crisis in Administration 30% increase in applications in 2009 alone Increases in complexity and appeals Public Service moratorium Sectoral response to crisis Potential for client confusion TPS – Single Grants Authority eGovernment The Drivers of Change

6  Partnership  DES, CDVEC, DLR Co Co, CMOD, Revenue  Front-end development - utilised existing VEC and LA systems  Preparation  Support of D/Finance including BPR exercise under TPS  Project managed by CDVEC  Process  Tendering process – clear requirements in RFT  Project implementation – clear responsibilities and timelines  Robust agreement, communications and delivery arrangements with iSoft Business Solutions eGovernment Key Facilitators of Change

7 Implementation eGovernment Extremely tight timeframe RFT published 6 May 2010 Go live date 16 August 2010 Security Audit – high risk personal/means information Went live on 9 September 2010 Initially 11 VECs and local authorities Further roll-out in 2011 Development of single agency system

8 Benefits eGovernment Improved efficiency of administration Greater resource efficiency – data input savings Greater accuracy of data Fully complete applications – system requirement Qualitative improvement even with PDF downloads Strongly positive customer reaction Further potential in single authority

9 Kay Cullinan Head of Grant Services City of Dublin VEC Brian Power, Principal Officer Higher Education - Equity of Access Department of Education and Skills