A new report finds the cost of childcare is preventing more than half, or 56 per cent, of people on lower incomes from working.
The first ever investigation into childcare costs in Ireland finds that full-time childcare for two children a year is 16 thousand 500 euro.
The report was carried out by the Indecon International Economic Consultant Group, and it's author Alan Gray says Ireland has the second highest cost of childcare in the OECD, as a percentage of the average wage.
He says it's hardest for single parents, who have to spend almost half their earnings on childcare if they're on the average wage:
