Kildare North Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly says families without support from extended relatives are being forced to cut working hours or leave their jobs entirely - deepening financial strain.
A new ESRI report shows a widening divide between high and low-income families when it comes to accessing afterschool clubs and activities.
It finds that rising costs are pushing more families out of the system, with lower-income parents increasingly unable to afford what, for many, doubles as essential childcare.
Kildare North Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly says families without support from extended relatives are being forced to cut working hours or leave their jobs entirely - deepening financial strain.
He says the cost of afterschool activities has outpaced inflation, creating a clear divide between those who can afford fees and those who can’t, with knock-on effects for children’s development, participation in sport and cultural activities, and even vocabulary.
The party is again calling for a universal sports and cultural activity voucher for all children, funded through an increase in the betting tax.
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