Out of work by childcare – EU
many, in particular women, into inactivity.”
Official figures show there are 1.1 million men employed in the national workforce and one million women. However, 131,900 men are part-time, compared with 306,200 women. And women are paid 14pc less than men, on average.
The director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Orla O’Connor, said the cost of childcare was one of the issues women continually mention as not only a barrier to returning to work, but in making choices about whether they will work full-time or part-time.
“It becomes such a major factor in making that decision,” Ms O’Connor said.
She said it was of huge importance that childcare costs are cut dramatically. “It is critical for equality for women so they can make choices about their careers,” she added.
Although the council welcomed Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone’s new childcare scheme and the provision of free pre-school years, Ms O’Connor said the measures do not go far enough.
“The childcare scheme reduced costs slightly but it needs significant investment. Comparisons with other EU countries show they are paying about a third of their childcare costs, but here it’s about 80pc or 90pc.”
She said the Government must also look at capping childcare fees.
When Government subsidies were given, she said parents often found costs have increased. She also called for the rollout of paid parental leave.
The report also said that while absolute poverty levels and joblessness have dropped since 2012, the proportion of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion remains high.
“This is mainly because there is a very high number of low-work-intensity households in Ireland,” the report said. “Homelessness has also increased in recent years, with the situation being exacerbated by housing shortages.”
The report also said that the insufficient supply of housing, as well as related deficiencies in infrastructure and planning, have become more pressing for both economic and social reasons.
It said the Government has repeatedly intervened to tackle the undersupply of housing, but it will take time for the measures to have an effect.