Pupils were asked to occasionally bring their own toilet paper

A cash-strapped school in County Cork has asked pupils to bring in their own toilet paper.

Parents of pupils at St John's Girls National School in Carrigaline received a letter with the request last week.

Principal Catherine O'Neill wrote: "Dear parent, from time to time we will request your daughter to bring in a toilet roll to her class teacher.

"These rolls will be specifically for your daughter's class and will be dispensed by the class teacher."

She added: "We would also request that your daughter has tissues in her sack at all times."

The Republic of Ireland's public finances have been battered in the economic downturn, and education has not escaped unscathed.

Ms O'Neill said the voluntary measure was taken because of cutbacks.

"We are endeavouring to trim down expenses and ensure we use our grants towards the educational needs of your child," she said.

The notoriously poor quality of some school toilet paper has long been the butt of many jokes, but the move angered some parents who expressed surprise that the school had been caught short of funding.