Childcare costs vary widely across the country

CHILDCARE costs vary dramatically between different parts of the country, ranging from €101 per child per week in Tipperary to €201 per week for private care in Dublin 2.

Data from the National Children’s Nurseries Association shows the cost of minding an infant under the age of one is even higher - ranging from €110 in Tipperary to €215 in the greater Dublin area.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) says childcare prices here are similar to the rest of Europe, but lack of Government subsidisation of childcare is the problem.