asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the possibility of awarding grants to mature students in third level education.

Mature students are eligible for grants under the higher education grants scheme subject to compliance with the normal academic requirements and means test applicable under that scheme. Representations have been received that a departure from the normal conditions in relation to academic requirements and the basis of the means test should be allowed in the case of mature students. In the present financial circumstances it is not feasible to give favourable consideration to such representations. The adult education commission report which was commissioned by Deputy John Boland when he was Minister for Education will be coming before me shortly and I look forward to their recommendations in this regard.