Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Status of de Butléir Report.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

208 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education the status of the de Butléir Report on the system of grants for third level students; the action, if any, she intends to take on the recommendation to change the method of means testing with regard to assets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7237/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have already taken steps to implement a number of the recommendations in the de Buitléir report and the implementation of other recommendations in the report, including the issue of a means test in relation to assets, is subject to ongoing review.

I am concerned about the effectiveness of the recommendation about assets in dealing with the problems it was formulated to deal with. The valuation of farm land and business assets is a very difficult and subjective area.

One of the principal recommendations in the report related to the abolition of covenant relief. I have already announced the diversion of tax savings from the withdrawal of covenant relief to fund the major policy decision to abolish third level undergraduate fees.

I have also implemented a number of other measures in response to the recommendations in the report. These include: the abolition of the separate academic attainments for eligibility for a grant; the introduction of new rules for second chance cases; the provision of funding to assist students in college who are disabled or suffering financial hardship and the simplification and earlier issue of the student support schemes to facilitate students with their grant applications.

In response to other recommendations in the report the initiatives of allowing income tax relief on fees paid to private commercial colleges and extending maintenance grants to students studying abroad are being introduced with effect from the academic year 1996/97.

In line with the commitment in A Government of Renewal and taking account of the recommendations in the report, I shall pursue the implementation of further recommendations as resources permit. My objective will be to ensure that available resources are used to benefit students in most need and that the quality of service to students will be of the highest standard.