asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the statement in "A Handbook for Students" published by the Commission of the European Communities in June 1979 quoting the cost of living for an Irish student for nine months, excluding fees, as £1,368, and if he will adjust the higher education grants scheme to bring the support element into line with this figure.

I am aware of the estimate referred to in the question.

I am not aware of the basis on which such an estimate was made and it has no relevance in the context of schemes formulated in accordance with the provision of the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act.

The maintenance element of the higher education grant was increased by 20 per cent from £500 to £600 as from the commencement of the school year 1979-80. It was £300 in 1976-77.

Is it not true that the maintenance element of the higher education grant has not kept pace with inflation? Secondly, can the Minister explain why he considers this figure is not relevant to the higher education grant scheme when it was provided by an official of the Higher Education Authority?

The first point I should like to make is that I found the grants to be far too low. I answered a question from the Deputy about the value of the grant in 1979-80 as compared with the grant in 1968. I think the Deputy will remember that the figure worked on the CPI was in favour of the 1979-80 amount because the original 1968 grant was a global one incorporating fees and maintenance. With regard to the other part of the question, as the Deputy knows we have a scheme which is based on the earnings of parents. It is not related to the actual amount of grant for maintenance or school fees.

Does the Minister dispute the figure in the question and, if so, has he any figure of his own that he would like to put forward?

I am not disputing anything.

Is the Minister accepting that it is accurate?

I am not accepting that it is accurate or inaccurate.

If the figure of £1,368 is not acceptable to him, would he agree with a figure of £1,000 which is generally accepted in HEA circles and is accepted by me? In that context, has the Minister any commitment to raise the maintenance grant to a level of, say, £1,000 per year?

£1,000 per year for maintenance?

Yes. Has the Minister any commitment to introduce a comprehensive grants system which would reflect what is known as a "living" grant level?

In all modesty, I think I have acted well with regard to the grant scheme.

The Minister should be given the croix de guerre.

I am not looking for that. In fact, there is a constitutional bar against taking such an honour. I am committed to improving the grants to the extent possible. The scholarships are concentrating the attention of students on the technological area and I am very pleased about that.

Has the Minister any commitment in the coming financial year to increase the maintenance grant to a figure somewhere in the region of £1,000?

The figures have not been made out yet.

30.