Oversupply of childcare places available throughout country

The number of children in creches has fallen enormously during the recession with an oversupply of childcare places in every county — but Cork has suffered more.

According to creche managers, there has been an exodus from childcare centres due to rising unemployment meaning at least one person can stay at home with the children.

Many more of those working have offset pay cuts and increased tax rates by seeking childcare in the more informal, and often less costly, child-minding sector.