The Department of Education has been asked to take action against school-based product promotions which target children and their parents.
The call came from the Catholic Primary School Managers' Association, which represents Catholic primary schools.
The promotions were described as an "exploitation of school children" by the group, which has sent a strongly worded letter to the Minister for Education, Dr Woods.
The promotions normally involve parents collecting tokens by buying certain products and exchanging them for equipment for their child's school. Books and computers are the most common items exchanged for the tokens.
The Catholic Primary School Managers' Association - which represents boards of management at some 3,000 primary schools - said that by not taking action, the Minister appeared to be endorsing certain promotions.
The CPSMA general secretary, Sister Eileen Randles, said a circular had been issued on the subject some years ago but it was not clear whether this now reflected the views of the Department of Education. She said the group was seeking clarification from Dr Woods.
However, the Department of Education - which is expected to reply to the CPSMA letter shortly - said it welcomed any additional money or sponsorship entering the education system. However, it said schools should ensure "no pressure is put on parents to buy certain goods".
A spokesman said a circular issued in 1991 remained in place and it obliged schools to have a policy on promotions which ensured parents or children would not be exploited.
Among the companies which have been involved in school-based promotions are Tesco Ireland, News International, McVities and Mirror Group newspapers. Some promotions are sent to schools directly, while others are aimed at children and parents though advertising and other means.
Many teachers have objected to companies targeting schools with commercial promotions, claiming children are being used as a way of getting parents to purchase products they might not normally buy. However, companies involved in such schemes have defended the practice as a legitimate form of selling.
At the CPMSA's annual conference in Dublin, many delegates voiced concern about the practice and Sister Randles' letter was prompted by those views. Senior Department of Education officials have been concerned about the extent of the promotions for some time, but say many schools have been able to get valuable equipment by participating in them.
Another problem with a complete ban, according to sources yesterday, was that boards of management were entitled to raise funds outside of the annual capitation grant from the Department of Education. This traditionally had been free from interference from the Department. A prohibition on such promotions might cut across this, the sources said.