A clear majority of the public is opposed to any Government plan to re-introduce fees for third-level colleges, according to the latest Irish Times/MRBI poll.
A total of 61 per cent oppose the return of fees, while 32 per cent support it. Strong opposition to the re-introduction of fees - abolished by the Rainbow Government in 1994 - is evident across all social groups.
Among political parties, 56 per cent of Fianna Fáil supporters opposed the move.
Opposition to fees is significantly stronger in urban area. A total of 64 per cent of city dwellers oppose the return of fees but opposition falls to 57 per cent in rural areas. Opposition to the move is also marginally stronger among well-off groups (64 per cent) than skilled workers and less prosperous groups (61 per cent).
The poll was conducted among a national quota sample of 1,000 voters at 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State. It was conducted on Monday and Tuesday of last week.
Last night, the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, would not comment on the results of the poll.
However, he said he would be very interested in the public response to his proposals when they emerge early next year.
Mr Dempsey first signalled that fees may return for "those who can afford them" in an Irish Times interview last month.
The Minister signalled his exasperation at the continuing failure of the State to widen college access to all social groups.
His comments on the possible return of fees unleashed a storm of protest from Opposition parties, while some Government backbenchers also expressed unease.
Both the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, have appeared to distance themselves from any return of fees - although their comments may have been an attempt to steady the nerves of middle-class voters before the Nice referendum.
Department of Education officials are now examining how the €175 million spent by the Government on student support services and college fees could be used to help widen access to third-level.
Mr Dempsey has stressed that any savings secured by the return of fees would be diverted to help boost maintenance grants and other supports for less well-off students.
The options now under consideration by the Department are thought to include:
The return of fees costing at least €4,000 a year for those who can afford them.
Further significant increases in student registration charges; these were increased by 69 per cent this year to almost €700 a year.
Radical reform of the grants structure in a way which makes it easier to identify those in most need of support.
The current higher education grants scheme is widely thought to favour the farmers and the self- employed at the expense of the ordinary PAYE taxpayer.
The Government is expected to come under renewed pressure from Opposition parties to clarify its stance on college fees in the coming weeks.