28 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the income regulations governing the award of third level education grants seriously conflicts with what is regarded as disposable income under the income tax code such as the treatment of capital allowances and other business expenditure; his views on whether these regulations discriminate against farmers, business people, contractors and others; if he intends to amend the regulations to have income for grant purposes brought into line with disposable income as recognised under the income tax Acts.

The purpose of means testing under the Higher Education Grants Scheme is to ensure that scarce Exchequer resources are directed to those most in need.

As a result of a review of third-level student support schemes I have introduced major improvements in the 1992 Higher Education Grants Scheme including a substantial increase in income eligibility limits.

In the on-going review of third level student support schemes all relevant matters, including the method of determination of reckonable income, are being taken into account.

29 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Education whether there is any scheme to grant-aid mature third level students who are on scholarship and who are without the necessary means to buy the books which they need for their various courses; and, if not, if he will make such extremely necessary funding available.

My Department do not fund any scheme specifically to assist third level mature students purchase books for the courses they are pursuing.

However, the maintenance element of the existing student support scheme is intended to assist toward the overall costs of attendance at courses including the cost of books.