Voluntary contributions for schools are 'a fraction' of what people spend on items like Sky Sports, according to Newstalk Breakfast presenter Shane Coleman.

Reports suggests many schools were relying on voluntary contributions from parents to avoid running at a loss last year.

An examination of end-of-year accounts by the Joint Managerial Body, which represents around 500 secondary schools, found many said the reliance on parental supports was 'degrading'.

One patron body reported 55% of its schools would have been in the red last year if it had not been for the voluntary contributions from parents.

Shane said he believes there shouldn't be any pressure on parents.

"I think this is over-stated as an issue," he said.

"I think people who are struggling in terms of money should not have to pay and there should be no pressure brought to bear from schools on parents.

"But I've no problem with genuinely voluntary contributions - I'm quite happy to make a contribution to my kids school."

Children in primary school. Image: Justin Leighton / Alamy

Shane said he's happy to invest in his children's education.

"It's a modest amount, it's a fraction of what you'd spend on Sky Sports for the year - for example - or going on a weekend away," he said.

"I'm happy to invest in education; I think our kids in this country get a really good education for next to nothing".

Presenter Ciara Kelly said not everyone is in the same position.

"The situation for some people who are asked to pay a voluntary contribution is that it is a real and genuine pressure on them," she said.

"My experience when I was a doctor [was that] people would come in and talk to me about this as a worry.

"But also when my kids were in school...and people were talking about the voluntary contributions: schools do sent reminders to people.

"They do send things saying, 'If you can't afford this come in and talk to us' - they don't just say, 'Don't pay it'.

"I think people do feel a sense of pressure, rightly or wrongly, and it maybe a sense of shame.

"They don't want to go in and talk about something that they can't afford".

Students doing exams in a classroom. Image: Prajuab Chaipimpa / Alamy

Barnardos 2023 Back to School Survey found that 74% of primary and 78% of secondary school parents said that their schools requested a voluntary contribution.

The average amount asked for by schools was €101 for primary school parents and €143 for secondary school parents.

Many parents said that they feel compelled to pay it despite not having the financial means to do so and that they are chased up by schools when they do not pay the contribution.

Over two-thirds of parents (67%) said that it did not feel voluntary.

Four-in-five secondary school parents (80%) and two-thirds of primary school parents (68%) said that parents should not have to pay it.

Main image: Shane Coleman presents Newstalk Breakfast, 3-5-24. Image: Newstalk