Farmers oppose plan to ‘asset test’ parents of students

STUDENTS and farmers have expressed outrage at Government plans to “asset test” the parents of college participants and vowed to oppose the proposal.

A report presented to Cabinet — to be released next week — is expected to recommend that families whose children apply for grants should have their assets as well as their income assessed.

Such a move is expected to affect farming families, the self employed and professionals whose children already rely on state-backed third-level grants.