1368 children waiting for early years places in Louth

Pictured today at Smithfield square playground (L-R) was Anne Waithira Burke, Women's and Peer Support, Officer, AkiDwA, Elaine McQuillan, CEO, StartBright Early Learning Centres Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director, National Women’s Council, Darragh O’Connor, SIPTU, highlighting the huge numbers of children on childcare waiting lists nationwide. | Maxwells

placeholder image — Pictured today at Smithfield square playground (L-R) was Anne Waithira Burke, Women's and Peer Support, Officer, AkiDwA, Elaine McQuillan, CEO, StartBright Early Learning Centres Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director, National Women’s Council, Darragh O’Connor, SIPTU, highlighting the huge numbers of children on childcare waiting lists nationwide. | Maxwells

The National Women’s Council (NWC) has said the government must intervene urgently

There are 1368 children on waiting lists for early years in Louth, according to latest Pobal figures (2024/25), an increase of almost 35% on 2023/24. Childcare is costing Louth families an average of €761.36 per month for one child in full-time care.

The National Women’s Council (NWC) has said the government must intervene urgently to provide early years education and care to 46,241 children under 3 on waiting lists for childcare around the country.

NWC reiterated their call for public childcare and called on the government to act immediately to begin paying educator wages in a move they claim would bring fees for parents down.

NWC Executive Director Corrinne Hasson said:

“These figures really underline how significant this problem has become for parents, and for women in particular. It is simply not acceptable anymore that women have to take unpaid time off work, leave their careers altogether, or cut back on their participation in education, the arts and sports, because they cannot find childcare. In many countries, public childcare that is accessible and affordable is the norm. What is stopping us from having the same?”

Ahead of Budget 2027, NWC is calling on the government to roll-out publicly-delivered early childhood education and care services in marginalised and underserved communities. NWC is also calling on the government to begin paying wages for educators, in what they say is a feasible way to fulfil election promises of childcare costing less than €200 a month.

Corrinne Hasson continued:

"Budget 2027 is a unique opportunity for this Government to make significant inroads in tackling the childcare crisis. But this will only be achieved if the investment is focused on making the systemic changes that we need. Paying educators’ wages has clearly emerged as the most effective way to bring down costs. In addition, we need to prioritise the roll out of State-led childcare in the childcare deserts to ensure all children and families have access to the early education and care that they need.”

The National Women’s Council (NWC) convenes the Together for Public Alliance for Early Years Education and Care, which is composed of over 50 organisations. Members of the Alliance today gathered to highlight the large numbers of children on childcare waiting lists.