Students from poorer backgrounds are still hugely under-represented in third-level colleges, according to a major new ESRI report.
In stark contrast, the children of higher professionals, farmers and employers are very strongly represented across the sector - especially in the universities.
The report shows that while almost 90 per cent of Leaving Cert students go on to third level in some prosperous areas of south Dublin, this figure drops to less than 20 per cent in some poorer areas of west Dublin.
In response to the report, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) could fine colleges up to 10 per cent of their overall funding if they miss targets for improving access for poorer students.
Education sources say there is some "exasperation" about the failure of the colleges to significantly widen access to poorer students, despite significant Government investment in recent years.
One source said it may be time for the HEA to adopt a tougher approach to the colleges. But the colleges themselves say they cannot be blamed for the latest figures, as there is a variety of social and economic factors involved in the whole access issue.
The report, A Review of Entry to Higher Education in 2004, was conducted by the ESRI for the HEA. It will be launched by the Minister for Education Mary Hanafin tomorrow. The report is broadly positive in terms of third-level participation.
It says poorer students are more likely to proceed to third-level colleges than they were five years ago - even though the overall participation rate among poorer families is low.
Close to 60 per cent of all school-leavers now proceed to third level, a figure which gives the Republic a higher participation rate than Britain.
By contrast, only 44 per cent of school-leavers went on to third level in 1998. In 1980, only 20 per cent of school-leavers proceeded to third level.
Last year, one report found that over 48 per cent of those whose parents are semi-skilled or unskilled manual workers will proceed to college, compared to 23 per cent five years ago.
The participation rate for these groups is, however, still very low when compared to higher professional groups and farmers, where 89 per cent from these backgrounds go to college.
While high by British standards, the Republic's overall participation rate is much lower than the rate in countries like Finland and Japan, where it can reach 65 per cent.
The new research shows an increased participation in third level across almost all social groups. About 130,000 students are enrolled in third-level colleges in the Republic. The new figures reflect the boom in the institute of technology sector.
The report is expected to point to the increasing number of students who remain in school until Leaving Certificate.
Despite this, there is continued concern about the 5,000-plus students who drop out after or even before the Junior Cert exams.
The report says participation by the children of professionals and employers is now reaching "saturation point".
