asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement outlining fully Government policy in relation to (i) university fees, and (ii) non-university third-level college fees: if it is Government policy to increase university fees by 100 per cent over the figures prevailing in 1978; and if so, how this increase will be phased in.

The level of fees in university and non-university institutions are reviewed annually with due regard to all relevant considerations. It is the policy of the Government that such procedure should be continued.

No decision has been made by the Government on the lines postulated in the question from the Deputy in relation to university college fees.

I asked for a comprehensive statement of the Government's position in relation to fees and I received a very poor answer. It was stated in the White Paper on the economy a few years ago that there was a possibility university fees would be doubled. Am I to understand that that is not the case now? If so, could the Minister clearly tell me the Government's position in relation to university fees?

My answer said that no decision had been made by the Government on the line postulated by the Deputy's question.

When will the Government's position be settled?

Each year the level of fees is reviewed. That process has been established and we hope to continue it.

In relation to non-university third level fees, what are the Minister's intentions?

As I said in my reply, each year the fees for both universities and non-universities are reviewed and all relevant considerations are taken into account.

Would the Minister comment on the fact that the money allocated to the university colleges this year was such as to stop appointments and the continuation and introduction of new degree courses? Is it his policy to starve university colleges of funds?

On the contrary. My policy is to develop and expand these areas and, with the aid of extra money, we did that in the last 12 months.

I am calling Question No. 24.

Would the Minister say why the presidents of UCD, UCG and UCC made public statements that appointments and courses had to be curtailed?

I am calling Question No. 24.

The Minister will not comment.

We made £5 million extra available for higher education, apart from the extra money made available for manpower courses, as the Deputy well knows. If he does not know that he should because we debated the Estimate in this House.

Adequate funds are not being made available to the universities.

That depends on one's definition of "adequate".

Order, please. Question No. 24.