asked the Minister for Education the total number of scholarships available to universities (a) from local authorities and (b) from central funds, if any, expressed as a percentage of the total number of places available in universities.
121.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - University Scholarships.
120.
asked the Minister for Education if he will give details of the grants and scholarships available for university level education and higher education generally; the number of students attending university in the country and the proportion of these who are on scholarships; the number of students pursuing higher education; and the number of these who are receiving scholarships.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions 120 and 121 together.
Under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, all candidates who reach the prescribed standard at the leaving certificate examination and who satisfy the means requirements are eligible for a grant if they enter a university or other institution of higher education. In 1968, 1225 grants were awarded. In addition 102 scholarships were awarded under schemes administered directly by the Department.
Of the total of 17,536 full-time university students 11.7 per cent held scholarships or grants in 1968-69 payable out of public funds. This percentage will reach about 40 when the grants scheme becomes fully operative.
I have not got detailed information in relation to all the other institutions of higher education but I can say that the education of every one of the 1,466 students in training as teacher is being heavily subsidised by the State.