asked the Minister for Education the number of students attending primary degree courses in universities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - University Primary Degree Courses.
42.
The number of students taking courses leading to primary degrees in the universities in the current academic year is 18,202.
43.
asked the Minister for Education the number of students holding grants who are attending primary degree courses in universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I presume the grants referred to in the Deputy's question are grants under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968. The number of such grants held in respect of attendance at primary degree courses in universities in the present academic year is 4,090.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary regard 4,090 against 18,702 as a reasonable relationship? I thought that at long last we were to have the same kind of system of education here through all levels as they have had in America for the past 100 years.
We are not following the USA pattern.
Why?
We think for ourselves here.