asked the Minister for Education if he will remove the anomaly whereby in order to become eligible for a higher education grant, it is necessary to have achieved four honours in the leaving certificate examination in the case of applicants for courses which require less than four honours for entry.

29.

asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange do dispense with the rule requiring four honours to be achieved in one sitting of the leaving certificate examination for eligibility for a higher education grant, having regard to the fact that this rule militates against mature and/or married prospective students.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.

The rule at present is that in order to qualify for a grant a candidate must have obtained successes as follows in the leaving certificate examination of the year in question: Either (1) Grade C or a higher grade in higher or common level papers in four or more subjects; or (2) Grade C or a higher grade in higher or common level papers in Irish and in two other subjects or in mathematics and in two other subjects; or (3) in the case of a candidate who will pursue an approved course in science (including agricultural science) or engineering, Grade C or a higher grade in higher or common level papers in two of the following subjects: mathematics, applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, physics and chemistry, agricultural science, technical drawing, agricultural economics.

Since coming into office I have noted for review a number of areas within the higher education grants scheme. I am not in a position, however, to anticipate what the results of that review may be.

Does the Minister agree that an effect of the regulations which he read out will be that there could be cases where a person would have achieved sufficient qualifications for a course and yet that would be insufficient to enable him to qualify for the grant? Is it not logical and desirable that, if a student gets sufficient marks in his examination to qualify him for a grant, that should be adequate for grant qualification purposes?

The distinction which the Deputy refers to between qualification for entry and qualification for grant has existed since the scheme was introduced in 1968.

That does not make it right.

I am replying. To make the change suggested would increase the number of students qualifying for grants. It would not necessarily be the most appropriate use of any additional financial resources which might become available. I am reviewing the operation of the scheme but I do not wish to anticipate the results of that review.

(Limerick-East): Is the review taking place at present and when does the Minister expect a report?

I do not want to put a date on it. I requested that it be as a matter of urgency. I expect to have some preliminary results within the next few months.