Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE NATIONAL STUDENT grant system SUSI has said that a total of 59,000 new applications for third-level grants were received by the deadline at midnight yesterday.
The original deadline had been extended due to a technical problem with the student grant website and a spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that most students managed to get their applications in on time with 82,000 applications received, including renewals.
“We’ve received 59,000 new applications this year compared to 34,000 this time last year,” they said. “The application process started in May this year to allow the processing to start earlier with the aim of having payments ready to be made in late October.”
However they stressed that they are still accepting applications, even though the deadline has passed:
These applications will not be processed until after those received before the deadline but many have already been processed by staff at SUSI and delays seen last year are not expected to be repeated.
The spokesperson said that “lessons have been learned” from last year when a large number of students were left for months without a decision on their applications.
“There’s far less bureaucracy now, applicants used to have to furnish a lot of documents, so arrangements have been made between government agencies to share information so applicants aren’t required to send in as much information,” they said.
There had been some complaints about the helpline yesterday but the spokesperson said it was open until midnight and dealt with 550 calls.
Applications have slowed down with just 67 sent in since last night and SUSI is expecting about another 6,000 from now.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
RIP Tom. Gentleman. Going out the same way you came in.
I prefer classical and jazz myself, but I salute an eminent Irish country singer who delighted his fans down the years and managed to lead a normal decent life, respected by friends and neighbours. May he rest in peace.
@Garreth Byrne: If it was up to me, Big Tom would never have been famous – I didn’t like his version of music. However I have the same sympathy as anyone would have for a family who has suffered a bereavement.
@Paul Holland: Then it’s lucky it wasn’t up to you isn’t it? Ah well there is always one!
@Paul Holland: so why don’t u just stay quiet and keep your opinion to yourself Paul,if you have nothing nice to say….
@Paul Holland: I don’t judge the music. I judge the man who made music and delighted his fans. I judge the man who didn’t let fame go to his head and twist his life.
@Paul Holland: My name is Paul Holland too and I would not like to be associated with your negative comments. Big Tom was an absolute legend. A huge loss to country music and to Oram. Condolences to the McBride family at this sad time.
@Paul Holland: give over Paul, he was famous because he was a great singer and entertainer, clearly you appreciate nothing
@Paul Holland: My name is also Paul Holland and would not like to be associated with your negative comments, Big Tom was an absolute legend and gentleman, a big lost to Oram and Castleblayney, My condolence is the McBride family, R.I.P Tom.
@Paul Holland: Big Tom was the greatest, never to be equalled, you obviously know nothing about country music.
@Paul Holland: my name is also Paul Holland and I would not like to be associated with your negative comments. Big Tom was a legend and a gentleman. A big loss to Oram and Castleblayney. Big Tom RIP
@Paul Holland: My name is also Paul Holland and I wouldn’t like to be associated with your negative comments. Big Tom was a legend and a true gentleman. A big loss to Oram and Castleblayney. Condolences to the McBride Family. Big Tom RIP
@Mary Cullinane: My name is also Paul Holland and I wouldn’t like to be associated with his negative comments. Big Tom was a legend and a true gentleman. A big loss to Oram and Castleblayney. Condolences to the McBride Family. Big Tom RIP
@Paul Holland: We get it…
Great man reminds me of the tudor rooms back in the 70s 80s.
@Matt Humphries: Tom, Jessie and the Jamesboys,Ray Lynam and the Hillbillies n Louise Morrisey were the golden era of Irish C&W.
A gentle giant who’s music spanning over six decates enjoyed by people everywhere.RIP Big Tom you have earned your rest.
RIP Tom
Sad day for Monaghan. RIP big man
A true legend.
Rest in peace Big Tom.
Was always on our record player back in the 70s and 80s. My mom loved him. Rip big Tom.
What a legend I loved him.. Reckon he wanted to be with Rose RIP Big Fella
Brings me back to The Ierne many decades ago. Great times
RIP big fella
RIP Tom…
Sad news , fond memories of growing up listening to his songs on my dads car radio
Ah stop! RIP big man …
An Icon if Irish country music. RIP
@Do the Bort man: Icon…..
@Do the Bort man: Icon…..
Blessed are the music makers…..in my fathers house there many rooms..
@Theodora Lament: Who’s your Da?
@O’Boyle Darragh: Basil Fawlty?
@Theodora Lament: Ah Cist, willou steop that gibberish?
“makes no difference who you are, skid row Joe or superstar, you’re going out the same way you came in ” RIP to a country music legend and gentleman
Rip Tom a true entertainer and will be sadly missed
Gave much enjoyment during his long life –Will be sadly missed R.I.P.
As a child I was fascinated by my dad’s 8 track Big Tom cassette. Some legacy.
Bit of an aul Legend and Monaghans most famous export. May he rest in peace.
No disrespect to the man and RIP, but Irish country and western music must be amongst the most truly dreadful music I have ever had to endure in my entire life
@wrong side: yeah no disrespect intended! What have you ever achieved??
@wrong side: In what sense have you had to endure it? Were you in a prison that pumped it out over the speakers?
@Neal Ireland Hello.: Grew up in the 70′s and 80′s in rural Ireland and it was everywhere on the radio. Seriously, I’m sure he was a wonderful man, but I’m still allowed to find country&western music appalling no?
@paddy fox: Did I upset you there paddy?
@wrong side: 70s and 80s rural Ireland had the exact same two radio stations as rest of the country, but nice try!
@wrong side: Have you ever had to endure the noise pollution of Bono or Geldof ?
Sad day indeed will be certainly missed. Many dance halls including Rose Club Moate. Long be with the Days. R.I.P Tom. Condolences to family and relatives.
RIP,
BIG TOM.
Remember of him and Band coming in to Tull’s Hotel Castlerea Co Roscommon at the end of the 60s for a T bone Steak, and Big Tom coming into the Bar to me in the Bar for 10 cigarettes 10 gold bond I think, the excitement was amazing , and playing in the Cascino Ballroom in the town of Castlerea after wards, I loved his music it was lovely to dance to
Rip Big Tom, Memories of Roundwood Park and the Galtymore in London. I had the opening guitar riff of “Four country roads” as my ring tone untill my old phone went under a forklift. I must get it again… God bless Big fella.. say hello to Joe Dolan and Larry Cunningham when you get up there.
ryBlueMike:
@rip big tom awe the galltymore nights were great rip my man there will b a great band up there now,
Catherine Fitzgerald Blankenship:
RIP Tom, remember him been the big attraction at local dances, lots of goid tributes on this morning’s radio…. Albeit Daniel O’Donnell’s was just nauseating
His ground breaking music will have an effect for generations.
@Sean Conway: It sure will :-)
The big mansion in the sky has just acquired a wonderful entertainer, RIP Big Tom
Rest in peace Gentleman Tom. fond memories of the Farmers Ballroom Virginia
First Bowie and now Big Tom. Up Monaghan. RIP
I see RTE trying to jump on his wagon because he is and was popular, there was a time country music was seen as low life at the RTE…
Well, it has to be said his music was absolute shite? “Christ” what an assault on the eardrums!
@Martin O’Reilly: How can you say that Martin? Well now see the damage this screeching, not akin to white noise has caused?? My doctor told me this mans music left me with similar to shell shock! This is the result? I’m answering myself.
have your say