Figures show 40% of families need childcare

More than 40 per cent of Irish families with pre-school children rely on childcare during normal working hours, figures released by the Central Statistics Office today show.

The figure also show childcare cost an average of €97.47 per week in the last quarter of 2002. Dublin came out the most expensive, costing an average of €118.96 per week, while the Border region was cheapest at €79.42.

The figures are based on a survey module on childcare included in the Quarterly National Household Survey in the last quarter of 2002. They show 73,000 families (42.5 per cent) regularly rely on childcare services for their pre-school kids while they work. Of this, 23,000 families relied on unpaid relatives for assistance.

Couples where both parents work relied most on childcare; more than three-quarters (55,300) had childcare arrangements for their pre-school children and nearly half (50,100) required it for their primary school-going offspring.

The Green Party called for more childcare places and a nationwide network of community childcare centres to be provided, in light of the CSO figures.

The party's justice spokesman, Mr Ciarán Cuffe, said: "We need a nationwide network of community childcare centres. These centres would prioritise access and affordability for those living on low incomes.

"These figures once again highlight the need for an increase in child benefit, and for an Ombudsman for Children to be appointed.

"For many families it costs more to pay for childcare than to pay the mortgage on the family home.

"The care of children should not be left to the private sector. The State must also play its part."