Option 1Bring back fees of about €3,000 for students

The Department of Education report due shortly is expected to show that the abolition of fees by Niamh Bhreathneach in 1995 did little to widen access to college. Logic would suggest this is a good time to bring them back - especially if they are accompanied by reform of the grant scheme. The hard-pressed colleges would be delighted, especially after the savage spending cuts in the Estimates.

Noel Dempsey knows he can rely on the support of some ministers although Charlie McCreevy- as opposed to his department- has still to give whole-hearted support. . But the PDs are less than enthusiastic and Bertie Ahern has still to declare his hand.

Dempsey is a conviction politician who says he is in politics to take the tough decision. His instinct may be to bring back fees. But will the Cabinet support him?

Option 2

Bring back "fees by the back-door" - increase the student registration charge

The registration charge was increased by almost 70 per cent to €670 last summer. Student groups were outraged by the move, but it caused less of a furore than one might have imagined.

The Department of Finance wanted a €1,000 registration fee for next September, but this plan was seen off, pending the outcome of the current report on fees.

A massive increase in the registration charge would give the colleges some badly- needed funds. The move would unleash a wave of student protest, but it would be a great deal less controversial than the return of fees.

One other technical problem; the student registration fee is designed to pay for student services in the colleges. How could a massive increase be justified if it only to pay for better student facilities?

Option 3

Back a "study now pay later" loan system

The Department has been examining a range of systems like that in operation in Australia, where students are given loans for higher education. Its supporters claim it has helped to widen access to college by 40 per cent. Critics complain that it has left students with a mountain of debt.

The introduction of such a system here would be difficult given the large number of graduates who leave the Republic to work elsewhere, but it could be defended on the grounds of equality. If graduates earn over 80 per cent more than non-graduates, is it not fair to ask them to repay the cost of their education to the State?

Option 4

Do nothing

Noel Dempsey deserves great credit for raising the whole issue of educational disadvantage. We have known for years that the lower socio-economic groups have been virtually excluded from third-level colleges, but Dempsey is the first minister seriously to tackle this scandal.

Some of his political colleagues may shrug their shoulders and say there is very little public clamour for change. Some pinkos in the media may support the return of fees but the public - especially the middle classes - will not buy it. Some Cabinet members will look at Noel Dempsey and ask - why bother with all this hassle?

The Minister will be dismayed by this reaction. He will appeal to the better instincts of people. Is it right that only a handful of students from the places such as Darndale, Clondalkin and inner-city Dublin make it to UCD or Trinity? Is it right that we, as a society, nurture a third-level system that excludes huge swathes of our population? Dempsey will be on the side of the angels. He will say doing nothing about the scandal of third-level access is simply not an option.