Childcare opinion poll - Survey poses real challenge to politicians

THE first national newspaper opinion poll conducted for the Irish Examiner by Lansdowne Market Research, which surveyed more than 1,000 parents with children aged up to 14 years, had some startling findings.

The Government and politicians generally will ignore them at their own political peril.

The childcare issue is already limiting the size of families, and affecting women’s role in the workplace. Only a quarter of women return to work outside the home after having a baby. Many of those with two children say they would have to stay at home if they had another child.