Childcare crisis ‘must be tackled’

A MAJOR shortage of proper childcare is still the biggest barrier to women returning to work or education, a survey has revealed.

More than 76,000 welfare dependent single mothers cannot afford proper quality childcare, according to their support group An Cosán.

This is because single parents on welfare only get €144 a week and the average weekly cost of private childcare is at least €200 a week, An Cosán co-founder Katherine Zappone said.