The absence of affordable and accessible childcare is one of the most significant barriers to women joining the workforce and in education and training, delegates at a conference organised by the Labour Party's Women's National Council at Dublin's Mansion House on Saturday heard.
Speakers harshly criticised the Government for failing to address the childcare crisis. The Lord Mayor, Ms Mary Freehill, said public spending on childcare was paltry and disgraceful.
Childcare and the need to create a more family-friendly society should be an issue for all of society, men and women alike. "The failure of the Budget to address the cost factor of childcare is most disappointing," she said.
She was addressing women from all walks of life who were marking 50 years of women's contribution to Irish society.
Ms Patricia O'Donovan, ICTU assistant general secretary, said women in the trade union movement, political parties and their own organisations had been highlighting childcare as an important issue in terms of quality of life and educational opportunities for their children for many years, but nobody was listening.
It had not been possible to arrive at a consensus on the best way forward on the issue in the current pay negotiations. "It requires a huge commitment of resources, it needs a huge investment in infrastructure and in training, and I don't think the political will is there as yet to tackle that," she said.
Ms Helen Lahert, of the Parents Alone Resource Centre, said adequate childcare was a prerequisite for entering the workforce.
"Childcare support must be quality and affordable and child-centred," she said.