Government investment in universities and colleges is paying-off as graduate numbers continue to rise, it was claimed tonight.
Education Minister Mr Noel Dempsey said a new report had shown funding for further education was opening doors for more and more of the population.
A report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed the proportion of people aged 25-34 years-old that had attained third-level education was up 7 per cent, to 36 per cent, between 1998 and 2002.
Out of 26 OECD countries surveyed only Sweden had a bigger increase.
"Ireland comes out well in many of the OECD's comparisons, which is a reflection of the quality of our schools and teachers," Mr Dempsey said.
"And especially, of the ability of our young people to meet the many and varied challenges they are likely to face in their lives. The substantial investment in third-level education over recent years has paid off."
The OECD report, however, revealed there was substantial room for improvement. Some 15 per cent of young Irish people, aged 20-24, left school without upper secondary education.
The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) said Ireland is bottom of the league in terms of spending on education relative to country's wealth.
"We are now a rich country but as far as spending on second-level education is concerned we act as if we are still a poor country. This is simply not acceptable and is putting in jeopardy our economic prosperity. A good education service may not be a sufficient condition of economic prosperity but it is a necessary condition" said Mr John White, acting general secretary of the ASTI.
"It is absolutely unacceptable that despite our economic prosperity Ireland is close to the bottom of the league in terms of funding per second level student," said Mr White.
The publication today of the OECD report Education at a Glance 2004 confirms yet again the gross-under investment in second level education in Ireland, according to Mr White.
Despite the fact that Ireland is the fourth wealthiest country surveyed by the OECD, when it comes to spending per second level student Ireland comes 20th out of 26 countries.
The report also showed the number of computer and life science graduates in Ireland was high by international standards - almost twice the OECD country average.
In 2002, Ireland produced the third highest number of life science graduates, and the highest number of computing graduates.
The report, from the Paris-based group, showed spending on education had risen dramatically since 1995.
But a separate OECD report has pointed to a lack of adequate funding at tertiary level and has called on the Government to look at introducing fees to cover increasing costs.
The report, due to be released on Thursday, is expected to call for means testing for grants and a loan scheme.
It is also believed to recommend a national strategy plan, university fees and loans financed by the private sector.
Additional reporting PA