The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills is to look at the challenges facing Ireland's school system.

Parents, principals, teachers unions, management bodies and department officials will contribute to a special two-day sitting from Wednesday.

Eighteen organisations and Government departments will make presentations and answer questions on the pressures that face primary and secondary schools as they re-open nationwide.

Wednesday will focus on whether Ireland's school-building programme meets demand and, if not, what can be done to improve planning and delivery.

It will also explore the pressures that principals face as they manage overstretched school staffing and resources while - in many cases - conducting their own classes.

"Challenging circumstances"

On Thursday, charities, parents associations and school management bodies will detail rising private costs that parents must finance as their children attend State-funded schools.

Committee chair Fiona O'Loughlin said: "With the arrival of a new school year comes the need to focus on improving the State's provision of educational services.

"All parties agree we can and should do more as a society.

"This week the committee will seek to identify solutions and areas for needed reform with help from a comprehensive array of witnesses.

"The challenging circumstances that many parents, principals and school planning bodies face require our urgent understanding and assistance.

"Any shortfall in providing sufficient support to school facilities and staff ultimately denies schoolchildren the chance to achieve their full potential."

Among the bodies attending the hearings are the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) - as well as Barnardos and the Society of St Vincent de Paul.