Pocket money can be a contentious issue in households.

With the everchanging world, parents are keen to give their children responsibility and freedom - but not too much.

Should children get pocket money? If so, how often? What for? And how much?

Andrea Gilligan spoke to parenting experts and the general public to find out what they think.

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, parenting expert Aoife Lee of parentsupport.ie said systems and amounts vary greatly from family to family, but many children are expected to 'earn their keep'.

"It is going to be different for everybody", she said. "The going rate can vary from what's affordable and how many kids you have and what age they are."

"Growing up myself when I was growing up it was a pound every Sunday and I still remember the excitement of that."

How much?

Listener Geraldine explained the logic behind her system: "For pocket money I give my children half their age. So if you're eight years of age you get €4. When they turn nine, it increases to €4.50."

"The exception is the teenagers under sixteen, before they can get a job. I give them €15 but they have to use this for any discretionary expenses."

"I make it clear that there are absolutely no top-ups whatsoever so that they have to budget."

Lee praised the logic, saying "it's creating a boundary and giving the kids a little bit of responsibility".

Revolut

Siobhan O'Neill White from mams.ie said pocket money should be given to children as a reward for completing chores, but she "wouldn't do it every week".

O'Neill White occasionally gives her ten-year-old daughter physical money, but opts for Revolut when it comes to her teenagers.

"[Revolut] is really good becuase we can see exactly what they spend and where they spend it", she said. "If my teenagers go out and I Revolut them, I can see where they are and what they're doing."

Newstalk sent reporter Elaine Smith out and about in Cork to hear how the general public handle allowances.

One father said it teaches children the value of money, "so they're not just getting things given to them". He believes €10 per week is a fair amount.

"Spoiled"

Similarly, a mother said she gives her sons pocket money in payment for keeping up with household tasks, such as "cleaning up after the dinner" and "tidying up their room".

"Then they can make their own decisions about what they want to buy or save", she said.

Another person said: "I think kids are quite spoiled these days. My fella's three and we might reward him for something very simple, but I think they learn the value of money by working."

"I was working when I was twelve for a pound an hour - really hard work. I don't think there are many kids doing that anymore."

Main image shows a piggy bank. Image: Ivan Kmit/Alamy Stock Photo