Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the De Buitléir Report on Student Support 1993 and its principal recommendation that there be an assets based means test in the determination of eligibility for student support; his further views on recommendation 51 of the OECD Report on Higher Education 2004 in favour of the De Buitléir proposal and its view that the adoption of this scheme was an essential feature of any policy to bring back student tuition fees at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20159/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Advisory Committee on Third-Level Student Support which was chaired by Dónal de Buitléir was published in February, 1995 and included a number of recommendations, some of which have already been implemented. The issue of introducing an assessment of capital assets for the purposes of determining eligibility for student grants was among the issues considered and recommended by the report. The schemes of student support are currently under review in the context of the Programme of Administrative and Legislative Reform of Student Grants. The development of a single unified scheme and the means testing arrangements are being considered in this context.

As the Deputy will be aware, I am currently finalising a review of policy options relating to the introduction of a form of student contribution. There are many complex and competing considerations involved. These include considerations relating to institutional funding, family affordability, equity, participation and value for money for the taxpayer. However, it is an issue that merits consideration at this important juncture in the development of higher education and also given the current economic circumstances.

My officials are finalising a technical report on the various options available. This will look at available models and reports, including the OECD report referred to by the Deputy. It will assess the potential policy, cost and revenue impacts of various available approaches in an Irish context. I will be providing the completed technical report to my Cabinet colleagues for consideration in the near future. As the Deputy will appreciate, I do not wish to pre-empt any decisions of Government in relation to these matters.