Higgins criticises 'outrageous' household charge move by Clare County Council

Socialist TD Joe Higgins has branded the move by Clare County Council to request household charge payment receipts from families applying for student grants as an "outrageous development".

He is seeking a special debate to be held on the Dáil on the issue this afternoon, and said he hopes people who are holding out against paying the household charge will not be put off by today's news.