Irsh Parents Spending Double On Childcare Compared To Others In Europe

Irsh parents spending double on childcare compared to others in europe

The Oireachtas Health Committee will look at the cost of childcare in Ireland today. Irish parents pay twice as much as other parents in Europe - and need to earn around 30,000 euro a year to pay for two children in childcare. CEO of Early Childhood Ireland Teresa Heeney says she expects around 100 million euro will be allocated in the next budget to help alleviate the crisis. But she says a decision has to be made on where that money should go. "Should it be spent, for example, on reducing costs for parents? Should it be spent on increasing capitation levels - so as that staff can get good salaries in the sector? Should it be spent to ensure that children with additional needs are afforded a right to special needs assistants?" she said. "So there's a lot of competing priorities" she added.