asked the Minister for Education if, in view of inflationary costs, he will institute a review of the current high fees, inadequate grants and means test applied to students in regional technical colleges and third-level educational institutions.

I am satisfied that the fees in the regional technical colleges are corresponding educational institutions are not unduly high and I do not consider that a reduction in the general level of such fees would be warranted.

In so far as relates to the grants and scholarships available to the students, I should point out that the amount of the award at £300 in the academic year 1976-77 was increased by me in 1977-78 to £500 and in 1979-80 to £600. Furthermore, the conditions of eligibility in relation to means was also dramatically improved. The limit of £2,950 in 1967-77 is now £6,100 in 1979-80.

Since the Minister does not consider the fees to be unduly high, can we expect a continuation of his policy to seek substantial increases in the fees for regional colleges in the next academic year?

I cannot make any statement on that at the moment.

What the Minister has said indicates that there will be a substantial increase.

The Deputy is going to catch me whether I say yes or no.