Farmland Cannot be Used in Assesment for 3rd-Level Maintenance – IFA
Reacting to comments in the Dail by the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, IFA President John Bryan said productive assets such as farmland cannot be factored into the assessment of income for the purpose of 3rd-level maintenance grants. He said, “These assets are required by self-employed businesses to generate income and are not a measure of additional ability to pay.”
John Bryan said, “At a recent meeting, the Minister assured us of his understanding, and that of the Committee drawing up the report, of IFA’s concerns about the treatment of productive assets. It was also recognised that there is a clear distinction between productive and ‘non-productive’ assets and this will be reflected in any proposals to amend the maintenance grant system.”
Mr Bryan concluded, “The Minister and the Review Group have a responsibility to ensure whatever changes are brought in do not restrict low-income families from any sector from access to third-level education.”