Childcare in Louth now costs parents an average of €185.62 a week for one child, with more than 1,400 children on waiting lists, new figures from Pobal show.
The National Women’s Council (NWC) says the situation highlights the urgent need for Government action and is calling for Budget 2026 to deliver a public childcare system that lowers costs, expands access, and supports women returning to work.
Ireland ranks in the top three countries in Europe for childcare costs. Country wide, there are more than 50,000 children under the age of four on waiting lists for places across the country; and thousands more on waiting lists for after-school/school-age childcare.
The National Women’s Council is now urging the Government to use Budget 2026 to deliver a shift in Ireland’s early childhood education and care system.
Women's Economic Equality Co-Ordinator at the National Women’s Council, Donal Swan, joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.