Fine Gael and Labour have attacked the Government over a report that the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, is planning to end funding to fee-paying schools.
The Government currently pays €68.5 million to teachers working in the State's 58 fee-paying schools.
Fine Gael education spokeswoman, Ms Olwyn Enright, described the proposal to cut subsidies as another kite-flying exercise during the Dáil summer recess by "a desperate Minister, who is more interested in findingquick-fix solutions than in really tackling education disadvantage."
She said the Minister had not considered the repercussions of such a move, which would result ineither "their closure or transfer into the Free Education system."
The Labour Party education spokewoman, Ms Jan O'Sullivan called for a "full review of all aspects of the system of financial support for private schools." She said "tradition and practice" should not determine subsidies but "any changes must be sensitive to the need of members of minority religions."
The report in today's Irish Independentclaimed the removal of the payment could result in parents of children attending fee-paying schools having to pay an extra €3,000 each year.
It also claimed the Cabinet gave it a "lukewarm" reception and that the Progressive Democrats would oppose such a move.
The Department of Education would not comment on the report when contacted by ireland.com.