asked the Minister for Education if he will ensure that where fees exceed £100 in third level institutes of education students will be able to pay in instalments and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In so far as the colleges of education are concerned there is provision for the payment of the fee of £300 in two instalments, an instalment on first day of the first and second terms. Arrangements for the payment of fees in other third level educational institutions are primarily a matter for the authorities of the institutions concerned.

Will the Minister not agree that many students, not necessarily those who are in receipt of a higher education grant, and their parents find it difficult to pay fees in the region of £300 to £600 or more at one time? Would he not think it reasonable that he should ask the universities concerned to ensure that where fees exceed £100 a reasonable arrangement can be entered into which would allow of three instalment payments of these fees over the academic year? Is that not a reasonable approach to the matter?

So far as the vocational sector is concerned there is no higher education institute. None of the colleges of technology or the RTCs have fees in excess of £100. As far as the universities are concerned, the Deputy knows very well, having been a tutor in a university college, that they make their own decisions on these matters.

I know that. Will the Minister approach the universities and ask them to have some form of instalment scheme that would take into account the heavy financial burden on parents and students? Is the Minister refusing that reasonable request?

I do not refuse any reasonable request.

The Minister is refusing. I am sorry because that is not like him.

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