Representatives of Ireland's private fee-paying schools have been invited to address the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education later this month to discuss their future role.
The committee has asked the Joint Managerial Body, which represents managers at the schools, to attend to discuss fee-paying schools in relation to the provision of education to economically disadvantaged children and pupils with intellectual and physical special needs.
Both the Labour Party and the Teachers Union of Ireland want State support for fee-paying schools to be contingent on equal access for poor pupils and those with disabilities.
There are 56 fee-paying schools in the country.
Most are in Dublin, concentrated on the south side of the city.
The schools' managers will address the committee on 23 April.
