Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the progress of the Capital Asset Implementation Group; the assets the group are considering; when the group is expected to report; what the next steps will be once the group have made their recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19385/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the overall Budget measures announced last December, it was signalled that it is proposed to amend the means test for student grants to take account of the value of certain capital assets as well as income for new applicants from the 2013/14 academic year.

A Capital Asset Test implementation group has been convened to develop and bring forward detailed proposals on new means testing arrangements to include the value of assets. This group has met on three occasions and its deliberations are ongoing. I anticipate that the group will report to me by the Summer and will make recommendations on the inclusion or exclusion of various classes of assets.

Any proposals arising from these recommendations will require Government agreement and will also necessitate legislative amendment.