6 in 10 workers say Ireland’s childcare costs are unaffordable

More than six in ten workers feel the cost of childcare is unaffordable, according to a nationwide survey conducted by leading recruitment specialists Excel Recruitment.

The survey of 563 workers also found that 58pc of couples with children said their partner had to give up work due to the cost of childcare – and in 62pc of these cases, the person that left the workforce was female.

Commenting on these findings, Nikki Murran, Director of Grocery Retail at Excel Recruitment said:

“The latest sector research reported the average weekly fee for a full-time childcare facility in Tipperary coming in at €167. Given the level of inflation in Ireland, it would probably be safe to assume that this has gone up even further in the 2 years since the research was conducted”.

Childcare plays a crucial role in supporting working parents, allowing them to pursue their careers while ensuring the well-being and development of their children.

In Ireland, the childcare landscape consists of various providers, including childminders, nurseries, creches, playschools, and professional nannies. However, the cost of childcare in Ireland is often higher compared to other European countries.

One recent study showed that Ireland was the third most expensive country in the European Union for childcare.

Moreover, parents in urban areas, especially in Dublin, face exorbitant creche fees that often surpass €1,350 per month and beyond.

Speaking of the effect childcare has on various demographics, Ms Murran said: “More than six in ten people said that the responsibility of quitting work to address childcare expenses fell on the female parent.

“There is a need for greater gender equality regarding the decision to sacrifice one's career for childcare responsibilities, as it is primarily women who bear this burden.

“It is also a tough reality that single parents who need to re-enter the workforce as soon as the Government maternity benefit ends after 26 weeks when their child is only six months old, face significant challenges if they are unable to secure and afford suitable childcare”.

Exploring the challenges faced by parents, the Excel Recruitment survey looked at whether or not a “weekend creche” style offering would be popular and found that more than half of those surveyed said they would consider weekend work if this facility was available.

Ms. Murran continued, “It is essential to understand the barriers preventing these parents from re-entering the workforce and to implement measures to address affordability and accessibility to support working families.

“To do this we must delve into what is preventing these supports from being put in place. Our survey found that five out of ten workers said they would consider weekend work if childcare facilities were available.

“This would be particularly beneficial to industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare where Ireland is currently experiencing significant staffing shortages. Existing creche facilities predominantly cater to weekday demands, leaving a significant gap in support for those working on weekends.

“This lack of flexibility hinders parents' ability to pursue their careers or find suitable employment, leading to potential workforce attrition. However, establishing and maintaining weekend creches can be financially challenging for service providers.

“They have to consider factors like staffing, overhead costs, and licensing requirements, all of which contribute to the overall cost of providing care.

“Operating a creche during weekends requires a dedicated team of trained childcare professionals and as we all know, it can be extremely difficult to find qualified staff willing to work on weekends. So, we have a catch-22 situation”.

Excel Recruitment contend that addressing challenges like weekend creche facilities requires a collaborative effort between the government, employers, and childcare service providers.

Ms. Murran continued: “We call on the Government to consider novel approaches such as incentivising the establishment of weekend creches by providing financial support, streamlining licensing processes, and encouraging businesses to offer flexible working hours.

“Some, not all, employers might be in a position to explore options like shared childcare arrangements or partnerships with local creches to provide support for their employees”.

Ms. Murran concluded, “It's important to recognise that improving access to affordable and flexible childcare services is crucial for supporting working parents and ensuring equal opportunities for employment.

“By addressing the challenges and exploring potential solutions, it's possible to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for working families”.

“To date, Minister O'Gorman has achieved some commendable progress by securing a €1 billion package for the childcare sector, exceeding expectations by five years.

“Nevertheless, it remains essential to acknowledge that more is needed in the field of childcare to effectively address the profound impact it has on parents' capacity to work and the affordability of childcare services along with ways to alleviate this stress for all parties involved”.