Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is very clear from the response that the Government has taken an initial decision. In making reference to the setting up of the group, the Minister of State's response uses the phrase, "Following agreement in principle". The group would not have been set up had the Government not been of the opinion that it wanted to target capital assets. The capital assets will inevitably include farmland and those of the self-employed.

The Minister of State said, "The group was charged with bringing forward detailed implementation proposals on new means-testing arrangements for student grants". It is very clear that the Government's agenda is to target land that is used by people to generate income. This is very unfair. We must await the outcome of the decisions. I urge the Minister of State to plead with the Minister, Deputy Quinn, not to implement this proposal. Now, when students are struggling to enter third level education due to the economic crisis, is not the time to be examining such a proposal. It will further deter students from entering third level education. This is very unfair in the current climate because there are very few jobs for those who have just completed the leaving certificate examinations. To further deter them from progressing into third level through the introduction of the proposed arrangement would be grossly unfair. I have no problem with the application of the arrangement to very wealthy people or millionaires but, unfortunately, it is to apply not only to the super-rich but to everyone, even those who are struggling to send children to college.