Call for clarity on farm assets and third-level grant

on 27/09/2012 00:00:00

Fianna Fáil spokesman on agriculture, Éamon Ó Cuív, made the call at the launch of his party's Priorities in Agriculture Policy. He said a number of weeks ago, Education Minister Ruairí Quinn said capital assets may be taken into account in deciding whether students would be eligible for third-level grants.

"If this is confirmed, farm assets would be used in calculating the student grant, which for small family farms could be devastating.

"The new academic year has started and some students will not be able to complete their studies if they lose the grant they are depending on.

"Many small family farms aren't profit-making and farmers are struggling to get by. The delay in this decision is creating a lot of uncertainty and undue worry. Minister Quinn needs to clarify this situation immediately."