Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of his plans to introduce a capital asset test as part of the qualifying criteria for maintenance grants at third level from 2013 and, specifically, if agricultural land and other business assets will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41028/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As I announced last December, the means test for student grants will be amended to take account of the value of certain capital assets as well as income for the 2013/14 academic year. A dedicated Capital Asset Test implementation group has been established. The group has been charged with bringing forward detailed implementation proposals on new means testing arrangements for student grants, to include the value of assets, for new applicants from the 2013/14 academic year. In the circumstances, I am not in a position to say at this time what assets may be included. However, any proposals will require further Government agreement and necessitate legislative amendment.