asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the High Court ruling on the inequity of the poor law valuation system, he will state the reason this system and not the accounts system is still being used for the determination of students' eligibility for grants and scholarships; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The schemes for 1982 and earlier years for the awards of grants under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, as well as vocational education committee scholarship schemes, were prepared prior to the decision of the High Court in relation to the use of PLV for certain purposes.

It is proposed to issue a circular letter at an early date to local authorities and vocational education committees in relation to a revised procedure to be adopted in the case of the schemes for 1982 for the purpose of the assessment of means in the case of persons whose income is derived solely or partially from the ownership of lands.

Does that mean that grants might be given retrospectively if it is proved that the accounts are such that pupils would be eligible?

No decision has been made on that. The Department of Education made a submission to the Department of Finance but I am not in a position to say whether there will be retrospection.