There could be significant falls in CAO points requirements in the next few years, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has claimed on the eve of publication of this year's Leaving Cert results.
The union said falls in the school population would make it difficult for colleges to fill places, and this would lower points.
Its education officer, Mr Colm Jordan, said the Department of Education estimated that the numbers completing secondary education would fall to 44,000 by 2015 from over 50,000 now.
"Unless significant progress is made in recruiting mature students or students from economically-disadvantaged back grounds into higher education, this will lead to a significant fall in CAO points requirements for most college courses," he said.
The president of USI, Mr Richard Hammond, said this year's students had reason to be optimistic about their prospects. "While recent economic uncertainty has led many commentators to predict the imminent demise of the Celtic Tiger, it remains the case that today's school-leavers have a range of options which were unheard of a few short years ago," he said.
"There will be some 35,000 places for first-year entrants to third-level education this September. In addition, there will be 20,000 places on post-Leaving Cert courses, while the number of places available for apprentices will exceed 25,000."
He added: "Reports on graduate employment add to the hopeful picture. A recent survey by the Higher Education Authority found that the number of graduates from Irish higher education institutions in 1999 still seeking work was just 1.5 per cent."
Mr John McGabhann, president of the Teachers' Union of Ireland, paid particular tribute to asylum-seekers and refugees who will receive results tomorrow. They had enriched our schools and society, he said.
He added: "We commend the valuable work of guidance counsellors in helping students choose the career paths that best suit their talents and temperament. We call on the Minister for Education to expedite the appointment of further counsellors in order to provide a comprehensive service in all our schools."
This year's results are available in three ways.
They will be available in schools early in the morning in the usual way. They will be available on the Internet at www.examinations.ie or on the phone at 1530 719290 (calls cost 25p per minute). Callers from outside the Republic should dial 00 353 1 7096646; international call rates apply. Students will need to have their exam number and a PIN number to access either service. The two services begin operating at midday.