Childcare costs keeping parents under pressure
Almost 50% of respondents said they spend 501-1,100 per month per childcare place; 18% spend up to 500 per month and almost one-third spend up to 400.
More than three-quarters of those who took part in the survey rated the Government's performance on the provision of affordable childcare facilities as poor or very poor. Respondents said the availability of childcare facilities will influence the way they vote at the next general election.
The survey, carried out by RecruitIreland.com, found one-quarter of participants paid more for childcare than mortgage or rent and 93% believe the Government should make more funds available for childcare.
According to Government figures, Government and EU investment in the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) amounted to 499.3m in the last five years. This investment is supposed to create 39,900 places, according to Minister for Children Brian Lenihan.
Almost all who took part in the survey 96% do not have access to childcare facilities in work. Almost 70% of employees said they would leave their current employer if offered a similar job by an employer with childcare facilities, even if it meant taking a salary cut.
Aoife Curtin of RecruitIreland.com said it was the third year they had surveyed workers on childcare in Ireland, but there seemed to have been little progress on the issue.
