asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the position of mature students who wish to be eligible for higher education grants, in particular, those mature students who pass the required academic standards; and if she agrees that these mature students can and do have a most positive influence on the life of a college.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question on 22 March 1984. 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 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. I fully agree that mature students can and do have a positive influence on the life of a college.

The point at issue is the discrimination against candidates who present themselves for inclusion in the grants scheme and of necessity have much earlier leaving certificate results, as early as five years to ten years before. The people I am referring to are mature students, and they should be judged on the results of their leaving certificate examination of that year.

Is the Deputy asking me a question?

I am asking the Minister if she would consider changing this.

I will certainly consider it but, as I explained to the Deputy, it is not something I can consider in a short term.

The Minister has told the House that she considers that such people contribute greatly to the life of a college, particularly in regard to their high degree of motivation being inspirational to other students, and what they are seeking are grounds of eligibility based on their academic qualifications. They possess the correct qualifications although they would be for some years earlier. My request is a normal one and I put it to the Minister that the Department, and herself, are discriminating against mature students by this attitude. Will the Minister give this matter serious consideration?

Does the Minister intend to make any improvement in the position of mature students? In what sort of time scale can we look forward to seeing such an improvement being brought about?

I cannot give the Deputy a definite time scale but I can assure him that if improvements can be made they will be made as soon as financial circumstances allow us.

Will the Minister accept that mature students are discriminated against very much in our educational system?

I do not accept that.

The Minister has told us that she wants to see a change, that it is desirable that there should be a change, but later she tells us that there is no need for a change and she does not accept there is discrimination. There should not be a dichotomy like that in a reply.