Student grants to be means tested differently

The Government has proposed to make amendments to how student grants are means tested.

The Education Minister, Ruiari Quinn, has announced in the Dáil that under the changes, the means test would include the value of assets held.

The news comes after the Higher Education Authority today warned that college fees may need to be re-introduced - to deal with the severe funding crisis among third level institutions.

The HEA is preparing a report on the issue - which will go to the Department of Education during the summer.

Reacting to the news this evening, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says the Government will await the recommendations of the HEA, before making any decisions:

"I think its like all services, It is a case of really in these difficult times having to do more with less and that is very challenging", he said

"It's particularly challenging in the third level sector where student numbers have grown".