Families describe the perfect storm of expensive fees, lack of childcare places, and inadequate paid parental leave

The availability of free childcare for all children allows kids the potential to develop to their full social and cognitive capacity, while at the same time reducing the risk of poverty by giving parents the opportunity to work or retrain

Vulnerable children have been impacted by school closures, and advocates want additional supports for those 'cast adrift' from education

Parents don't need €1 here and a week's leave there, as promised in this week's budget — what parents need is a public model of childcare