Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had any dealings with the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that farm land is not considered an asset during the means testing process for higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28663/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the issue raised in relation to the treatment of farm assets in the proposed new capital assets test for third level grants.

It is important to note that decisions have not yet been made by Government on this matter. I have, however, conveyed my own views on this issue to the Minister for Education and Skills on a number of occasions and these discussions are continuing. I have also ensured that my Department is represented on the Capital Asset Test Implementation Group for Student Grants, and that the implications for agriculture and for agri-food policy have been fully explored with the group in order to inform any recommendations it might make.