Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has said he will be present various methods for the reintroduction of third-level fees to his Cabinet colleagues next week.
Ministers are set to spend the summer considering the various options before a final decision is taken by the Government.
The options would include up-front tuition fees or a loan system whereby students would pay their fees once they graduate and enter the workforce.
Mr O'Keeffe insists that he has "family-proofed" his proposals to ensure that people who cannot to pay will not be affected.