CSO STUDIES: CHILDCARE COSTS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT REPORT:PARENTS IN the Dublin area are paying almost €200 per week for childcare per household, significantly more than any other part of the country.
A new report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) based on data collected at the end of 2007 found average weekly childcare costs outside the capital were in the region of €125.
The lowest costs were recorded in the southeast (€109), Border regions (€116), midwest (€118), west (€123), midlands (€126) and the mideast area (€166).
The disparity in figures is likely to fuel anger among childcare organisations around the country who are unhappy with aspects of the Government’s plan to provide a year’s free pre-school for every child in the State.
Under current proposals, all childcare providers will receive a uniform payment per child, regardless of the market rate for childcare in these areas.
When childcare costs are broken down to hourly rates, figures show average costs are higher for primary school children (€6.90 per hour) than pre-school children (€4.90).
The lowest hourly cost of all childcare types was for paid relatives for both pre-school (€4 per hour) and primary school children (€5.40 per hour).
In the Dublin area, the highest estimated hourly expenditure was for a childminder or au pair, at a cost of €8.80 per hour for primary school children and €6.60 per hour for pre-school children.
The figures also indicate there has been an increase in the use of childcare in recent years, up from 42 per cent in 2002 to 48 per cent in 2007.
Creches were the most widely used form of childcare for pre-school children (19 per cent), while the most widely used type of childcare for primary school children was unpaid relatives (9 per cent).
The proportion of children in childcare varies significantly depending on family types, the report shows.
Overall, parental childcare was by far the most commonly used form of childcare across all regions.
The proportion of parents caring for their children varied between 72 per cent in the mid-east, and 77 per cent in the Border, midlands and west regions.
The report asked parents whether they agreed or disagreed with the statement: ‘‘I have access to high-quality, affordable childcare in my community’’.
Fewer than one-third agreed with the statement, while 60 per cent disagreed and 11 per cent did not express an opinion.
The highest proportion who disagreed was in the Dublin area (69 per cent), while 45 per cent in the midwest agreed with the statement.
Children aged 12 years and under spent an average of 19 hours per week in childcare. Primary school children cared for by a childminder or au pair spent less time in childcare (average of 12 hours).
Participation in community
People living in the Dublin region have the lowest level of involvement in community groups (21 per cent). But they are the most likely to "take action to solve a problem" (13 per cent).
Urban/rural divide
People living in rural areas (35 per cent) are more likely to take part in community or voluntary activities, compared with those who live in urban areas (24 per cent).
Empowerment
Some 85 per cent say they believe that, by working together, people in their neighbourhood can influence decisions that affect them, while 69 per cent have a very strong or strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood.
Health status
Persons who had the lowest self- perceived health status also reported the lowest levels of involvement in community (12 per cent) and civic (8 per cent) activities.
Someone to turn to
Just over half of the population aged 15 and over reported having at least six people whom they could turn to in time of need. Only 2 per cent said they had nobody to ask for help.