Cowen slams grant system changes

Offaly Deputy Barry Cowen has once again called on the Education Minister to reconsider proposed changes to the third level grant system that he said will discriminate against thousands farmers and self employed workers across the Midlands.

Minister Ruairí Quinn has confirmed to Fianna Fáil that proposals to include capital assets in the means-testing for third level grants are at an advanced stage. Deputy Cowen has described this as a retrograde step that will close off third level education to many Offaly families.