It’s feared third level education will go beyond the reach of many Clare families if new criteria for grant applications proceed.
Currently farm income is assessed before college grants are given to the children of farmers but under a new Capital Asset Test Implementation Group the government is to assess the value of the farm land itself as part of this process.
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Clare County Councillors have called on Education Minister Ruari Quinn to reconsider this plan, saying many local farmers don’t have the income to send their children to college despite owning land.
Kilmaley Fianna Fail Councillor Tom McNamara feels it unfair to those from a farming background.
