asked the Minister for Education the percentage of (1) university students, and (2) students in regional technical colleges, colleges of technology and the NIHE who are holders of higher education grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

For the academic year 1976-77 the figures are:

(1) In the Colleges of the National University of Ireland and Trinity College, Dublin—26.2 per cent;

(2) In the Regional Technical Colleges, the Colleges of Technology and the NIHE, Limerick—4.4 per cent.

Figures for the present academic year are not yet available.

Will the Minister agree that the percentage of students holding such grants in the regional technical colleges and in NIHE is very low, and will the Minister comment as I asked him to do in my original question?

To make a statement on the matter?

Yes.

The answer has given a factual statement on the matter.

The Minister did not even comment.

I was not asked to comment.

The Minister did not have the courtesy to comment. Why did the Minister not have the courtesy when I asked him to make a statement on the matter, to comment on the very low percentage of students in the regional technical colleges and in NIHE?

I should hate to be taking lessons in courtesy from the Deputy.

I do not have to put up with this ill-mannered Minister. As a Member of this House I am entitled to get a reply to my supplementary questions in a mannerly fashion and not in an arrogant bombastic fashion.

The Deputy will restrain himself, and we will move to question No. 46.

Is the Minister not concerned with the low percentage of students in the regional technical colleges who are in receipt of higher educational grants.

I cannot compel the Minister to make a statement.

Can I have a reply from the Minister, or has he any interest in it?

If the Deputy puts down a question I will answer it for him.