The National Consumer Agency (NCA), has published a report about something we all know as parents, that childcare is costly in Ireland. The nationwide childcare price survey, which was done in December 2010, puts childcare as the third largest expense families have today, after mortgage or rent.This survey deals only with cost, but the NCA says there are other factors that parents look at when choosing a childcare facility. Price may be the relevant issue for most families, factors such as location, staff qualification, curriculum, play amenities, opening times and more, also play in the choice of childcare.
The nationwide average in Ireland for full-time childcare, a six months old baby, is €191 per week. Tralee has the lowest rates in the country, at €140 and Dublin City centre the highest at €269. The price range in Dublin can also vary as much as €84 from one area to another.
Full-time care of a 2.5 year old toddler averages at €181 per week. Swords and Dublin City Centre has the most expensive childcare rates at €248 and the cheapest is in Dundalk at €130.
The area of discounts, for a second child, is slightly murkier as it is at the facility’s discretion to advertise or implement. The national average is a 7% discount.
The survey also indicated that 60% of all facilities in the research have places available for children.
You can read the full report at the NCA site.
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