Quinn contradicts Hayes on means-test for grants

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has said plans to include farm or business assets in the means-test for third level grants are "still on the table".

Yesterday, the new Junior Agriculture Minister Tom Hayes said the proposals had been "dropped".

However, Minister Quinn has hit back at his new Cabinet colleague saying he will bring a memo to Cabinet to include the assets from September of next year.

He said the plans have always been under consideration, and will go ahead as planned.

Mr Quinn said: "No, it was never off the table, it will be processed in due course.

"I am delighted that Tom Hayes has been promoted as a junior minister for agriculture and I hope he reads himself into his brief with all the attention that it needs."