Vol. 512 No. 7
216 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the cost of leasing machinery by a small farmer cannot be taken into account in estimating income for third level education grant purposes; his views on the fact that this is the only way that many small farmers and business people can raise finance to service their industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27241/99]
The assessment of means under the third level student support schemes maintenance grants scheme is based on gross income with certain deductions for specified social welfare and health board payments. When assessing income from self-employment-farming the amount assessed is the adjusted profit-loss for income tax purposes from all self-employment activities, both Irish and foreign, whether they are exempted or relieved from Irish income tax. Capital allowances and other capital related costs, such as interest on borrowings used to purchase fixed assets, are not deductible from the adjusted profit in computing reckonable income for grant purposes. These means test arrangements have been in operation since 1983 and are of general application.
