Nationally, more than 50,000 children under the age of four are waiting for places.
Childcare costs in Kildare now average €218.70 per week for a full-time place, while almost 2,400 children are on waiting lists, according to the latest Pobal figures.
Nationally, more than 50,000 children under the age of four are waiting for places, with thousands more waiting for after-school care. Ireland continues to rank among the top three most expensive countries in Europe for childcare.
The National Women’s Council is calling on Government to use Budget 2026 to deliver a publicly funded childcare system, warning that high costs and lack of places are preventing many women from returning to work.
The Council, supported by over 40 civil society organisations in the Together for Public Alliance, is urging investment of an additional €300 million in the early childhood sector.
The proposals include reducing costs for families, expanding targeted supports, ring-fencing funding for educators’ wages, and allocating €30 million to begin rolling out publicly delivered services, starting with 50 pilot centres in marginalised communities.
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