There have been calls for action to encourage more people to take up courses in engineering and computing.
Labour senator Joanna Tuffy: many institutions
With over 60,000 students receiving first-round offers today from the Central Applications Office (CAO), it has emerged that places in subjects considered essential for the development of the Irish economy may not be filled.
The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) is concerned that Ireland's competitiveness could be undermined by the low uptake in courses such as computing, engineering and business.
The Labour Party has called on third level institutions to offer vacant places to those who are only available for part-time study.
Labour senator Joanna Tuffy said many institutions will not fill all the places in "key labour-market sectors" such as engineering, science, business and electronics.
"In other words they do not have enough applicants to fill all the places on their courses - places for which the accommodation, equipment and teaching staff are already paid for by the State."
She said the labour market particularly needed graduates from such courses and that there would likely be a positive response from employers, workers and school-leavers if the places were made available on a part-time basis.
The CCI said a cultural change was needed to encourage people into sectors such as computing and engineering.
Head of research and public affairs Seán Murphy said the correct skills needed to meet the demands of Ireland's growing knowledge-based economy may not be met because many people were opting for "safe" careers.
"There is little doubt that Ireland's future economic prosperity will rely on Irish start-ups and the global expansion of indigenous businesses. For this to be a success, Ireland will need a strong stream of talented individuals skilled in computing and engineering and other business-related qualifications," he said.
Trinity College, Dublin, where points needed for medicine have increased again to 590 - the equivalent of almost six A1s in the Leaving Cert.
The round of offers today shows medicine is in high demand with the points needed now at 590 in Trinity College Dublin - the equivalent of almost six A1s in the Leaving Cert, a level achieved by just 145 students this year.
Last night, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said there was a need for an expansion in medical places from the current 308; Northern Ireland provides almost as many places for a much smaller population.
The Cabinet will consider a report on the issue by an expert group chaired by Prof Patrick Fottrell. The Fottrell group has recommended an increase in the number of medical training places from 308 to 725.
Points for nearly all medical or paramedical and nursing courses have also increased. However, points have generally fallen for most arts, commerce and law courses.
Points for arts in UCD - the most popular third-level course in the State - have fallen 10 points to 360. For the first time, arts at NUI Maynooth requires more points (370) than for UCD.
A drop in points across a huge range of tourism and hospitality courses has confirmed fears over employment potential in this area. Teaching remains popular, with points up by five to 460 in St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin.
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