ICMSA fears over student grant change

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has promised a political campaign targeting rural TDs, and particularly those of Government parties, over fears that farming assets will be included in college grant assessments and make third level education inaccessible for farmers’ children.

In the budget last December, it was announced that the means test for student maintenance grants will include the value of certain capital assets as well as income from 2013. The change will apply to all new students starting third level in autumn of next year, and is expected to save the Department of Education €1.5m in 2013, eventually rising to a €14m annual saving.

But ICMSA president John Comer says allowing the proposal go ahead will mean the children of the typical full-time farmer will never qualify for a higher education grant.