The Union of Students in Ireland has predicted the CSO points needed to win a college place will fall dramatically this year and in the forseeable future.
A total of 56,969 students will get their Leaving Certificate results on Wednesday, the lowest number for over a decade.
That - coupled with the increased options available to students, including post-Leaving Certificate, Teagasc, FÁS and Bord Iascaigh Mhara courses, will mean less competition for third level places, the USI saus.
The union predicted the number of students completing secondary education will fall to 44,000 by 2015.
USI president Mr Colm Jordan also renewed calls for the Minister for Education to reconsider raising capitation fees. He called for a cut in the fee to €420 to allow less-well-off students to "follow their dream and take up the course of study they wish to pursue".
Mr Dempsey secured permission for the increase in the cost of student registration, exam and support services from €396 to €670 passed at a cabinet meeting on July 18th.
Last week, Mr Jordan said up to 20 per cent of students who refuse a third-level place will do so because of financial concerns.