Between 1980 and 1992 the national participation rate in third level education increased from 20% to 36%. The participation rate of the higher professional group increased from 59% to 85% and that of the lowest socio-economic group from 3% to 12%, both substantial increases even if the increase in the participation of the disadvantaged school leavers was from an abysmally low base. However, the participation rates of two other groups, namely, salaried employees and the lower professional group, either fell or remained almost static during the same period. For salaried employees, that is, PAYE taxpayers such as office workers and sales representatives, the participation rate actually fell from 59% to 48% in this period. For the lower professional group, in other words, teachers, nurses, journalists, public service workers, etc, the participation rate rose between 1980 to 1986 but fell from 47% in 1986 to 44% in 1992.