A Roscommon principal says ''voluntary means voluntary'' when it comes to contributions made to schools, but money is needed to fund activities.

Headmaster of St Attracta's National School in Ballaghaderreen Noel Loftus, told Newstalk that while the cost of living is rising, schools still incur costs that must be covered.

"We still have to collect money, reluctantly, for all our bus trips - and we have many bus trips because of sports", he said.

According to Mr Loftus, all schools must provide swimming lessons for students for at least one year of primary school.

"That's a substantial cost for us."

Optional or mandatory

A survey by Irish league of Credit Unions show that the average cost at €124 for secondary and €81 for primary.

Many parents of primary and secondary pupils see the donations as mandatory.

While voluntary contributions are permissible to the Department of Education, Minister Norma Foley has emphasised that they are not compulsory.

She believes the €90 million energy subsidy announced in the Budget should be sufficient for schools to pay bills.

“I think that is considerable; I think it should be sufficient”, she said.

“I don’t for one minute envisage that parents should be called upon in any shape or form”.

Refunds for parents

CEO of of the National Parents Council Aine Lynch believes that it is unacceptable for schools to ask parents for money considering the cost of living crisis and the present struggles with providing the basics.

"I think it's important now that schools do engage with parents around this issue and shouldn't be asking for voluntary contributions", she said.

"Where they've already sought them, they should be looking to refund that money to parents now there's additional funds from the department."