Lowry Opposes Capital Asset Test
Deputy Michael Lowry has slammed the proposals advanced by the Minister for
Education Ruairí Quinn T.D. to include farmlands and business assets for assessment
in the Student Grant system. The Independent T.D. for Tipperary stated that this
move will only serve to ostracise students from these families and will result in an
automatic exclusion from grant aid for students whose parents are self-employed or
farming. This Deputy Lowry stated is unfair, inequitable and shows a complete lack
of understanding of farming and business assets.
Deputy Lowry stated; “It is my belief that the only fair way of assessing the Student Grant is on the income. Including a capital asset test is completely illogical as the value of these assets can only be realised by liquidating the asset which will in turn undermine the very viability of the farming enterprise or business.”
“There seems to be some belief that farming families or students whose parents are
self-employed are at an advantage in the grant system or that they are availing of
the grant to a high frequency. This is not reflected by the facts. Only 6% of successful
grant applicants are from farming backgrounds. I do not think that anyone could call
this figure excessive. Strong comments by the Minister in favour of these changes
show a snobbery and lack of understanding that is infuriating to farming families. It
seems that the Minister thinks that simply owning land or business assets equates to
being well off and capable of funding third level education. The Minister should look
at the reality of the grant system and the real income of farm families rather than his
own perceptions and misconceptions.”
“I believe that all of our young adults should have equal access to the grant system
to allow them an equal opportunity of progressing to third level education. It is
not acceptable to introduce changes that effectively estop a huge portion of these
young adults for even being considered simply because they come from a farming or
business family.”
“Furthermore the SUSI system is in chaos at present and now the Minister is
advocating including a 5 year background check on all farmers and business owners. This would cripple the inadequate system in place at present. It would be more in the Minister’s line to ensure that the current backlogs in SUSI are tackled and
students receive what is owed to them at present.”
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Weather for Tipperary
Saturday 25 May 2013
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