Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals his Department or a body under its aegis are currently considering with regard to reforming the capital asset test for the students grants system; his views on whether he believes the capital asset test for student grant entitlement requires reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24215/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I recently published the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education and, in line with the Programme for Government commitment, I am referring the report to the relevant Oireachtas Education Committee for its consideration.

The report of the expert group clearly outlines the funding challenges across the higher education sector. The report analyses the current situation including the existing supports for students and sets out a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration. The report points out that the current means testing arrangements only consider income and take no account of capital, assets or accumulated wealth. The Oireachtas Education Committee will analyse all of the options presented in the expert group report.

The current system of student supports is underpinned by the Student Support Act, 2011. It is my intention to initiate a review of this legislation later this year to identify areas where the Act needs to be updated to reflect the changes that have taken place in Irish society in 2011 and also to ensure that our system of student supports is targeted effectively at those most in need. All relevant issues will be considered as part of this review.