Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include the assets of farmers as well as their incomes when assessing farming families eligibility to avail of the higher education grant. [15114/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I have taken no decision in relation to the introduction of a capital assets test for student grant purposes. I have made it clear, however, that I want to ensure that the objective of the student grant schemes is met. This objective is the most equitable distribution of the available resources in favour of those who have the greatest level of need and who clearly comply with the terms of the student grant schemes. As the current system deals with income alone, it allows people with accumulated wealth – be they unemployed, employed, self-employed or retired - to obtain grants which were designed as a State support for those with insufficient means to ensure access to higher education for their children. It is intended that a single student grant awarding authority will be in place from 2012. This will enable fundamental reform of the student grants administration process and will allow for improvements to the way in which grant assessment is carried out. This development, together with improvements in the administration of means testing generally, will inform further consideration of the introduction of a capital assets test for student grants.