asked the Minister for Education if he will make money available to the National College of Art and Design in order to subsidise the evening classes.

The grant-in-aid to the National College of Art and Design was increased from £427,000 for 1975 to £496,500 for 1976. It is not possible to make further money available for the subsidising of evening classes or for any other such purpose.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in some instances the fees for evening classes at the NCAD have been quadrupled and also that the students must pay the fees which are not subsidised despite the figure he has given for the grant-in-aid?

I am so aware.

Is anything being done about this situation?

The decision in relation to courses was made by the college authorities in relation to their total grant-in-aid resources.

In that case would it not seem obvious that the grant should be increased so that these students who are working during the day would not be mulcted in this way?

The question is simply one of how much money is available to the Minister for Education for such purposes. For 1976 he has made available the maximum amount possible and in the light of this the college has had to take the decision regarding courses.

The amount being made available is less than £500,000.