asked the Minister for Education if he is in a position to state in respect of the 1973 leaving certificate examination the number of students to whom higher education grants have been awarded solely on the basis of an honour mark in Gaeilge and two other subjects.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
17.
Grants under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Act, 1968, have been awarded to 276 students who satisfied the requirements relating to attainments by virtue of having obtained Grade C or a higher grade in higher level papers in Irish and in higher or common level papers in two other subjects at the Leaving Certificate Examination, 1973, and who also satisfied the other conditions relating to the award of such grants.
Bearing in mind the total number of students who sat for the leaving certificate this year would the Minister agree that since only 276 gained advantage by reason of getting credit for the dual honour in Irish, this policy will not prove to be the incentive which he thought it would be in so far as the study of the subject, Gaeilge, is concerned?
Mr. R. Burke
I would not agree with the Deputy.
Would the Minister indicate the number of students who sat for the leaving certificate this year?
That seems to be a separate question.
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy asks that question specifically I shall have great pleasure in answering it.
Would the Minister agree that the total number of students who have gained this wonderful incentive is less than the number who failed the leaving certificate in other years because of their failure in Irish?
Mr. R. Burke
The greatest incentive was the lifting of the compulsion element in the examination and that was a decision with which the people agreed.
Would the Minister agree that the number of students who gained this advantage this year is less than the number who failed the leaving certificate in other years because they did not pass in Irish?
Mr. R. Burke
Would the Deputy agree that when he put down his question the other day he was not able to phrase it properly?
That is the
A Cheann Comhend of Question Time. airle——
The Deputy has had a good innings on this subject.
When one puts a question one expects at least a civil answer. I have put a question to the Minister and I am asking him whether he is prepared to grant me the courtesy of answering it?
Mr. R. Burke
If the Deputy puts his question specifically next week I shall be prepared to answer it.
He is putting it very specifically now.