Editorial: Childcare issues need solutions

In the last number of years, quite a few creches have closed down while some new ones have opened too.

It seems to be an industry that is pretty hard to make a decent profit. Whatever profits there are, certainly aren’t going to people working in childcare as the wages for early years education are very low.

Childcare, like housing, is also a key factor for whether people can work full-time in a region. Cork is growing and the aim is that it will grow a whole lot more in the next twenty years. Will childcare provision keep pace with that? Is there enough creche places at the moment? A few years ago, I rang 10 or more creches trying to get a place for my one year old son. I learned that was a real folly!

This week Cork Chamber published a new report highlighting how gaps in childcare provision are creating serious challenges for employers across the region. The report suggests that childcare should be “recognised as essential economic infrastructure underpinning workforce participation and long-term regional competitiveness”.

Cork Chamber President Susie Horgan said: “Cork’s economy is growing strongly, but childcare is increasingly impacting on workforce participation. Over a third of employers are seeing staff leave or turn down roles due to childcare pressures, and 88% report a disproportionate impact on women’s participation and progression. These are real operational constraints affecting productivity, retention and talent development.”

The findings show that 36% of respondents report that staff have left roles or declined opportunities due to childcare issues. More than half (57%) report a moderate or significant impact on their workforce, while 62% cite increased absenteeism linked to childcare logistics.

The report draws from Cork Chamber members, HR professionals, and childcare providers, and identifies structural issues across affordability, availability, and staffing capacity. These constraints are contributing to recruitment difficulties, reduced working hours, and retention challenges for employers.

The report also highlights what Cork Chamber calls “a clear opportunity for businesses to be part of the solution, particularly through the development of employer-supported childcare models such as corporate crèches, where appropriate Government supports are in place”.

Unfortunately, it might be crucial for large employers to seek their own solutions to alleviate this key issue.

03/06/2026 12:09 - GO: Do you have a standalone pic? Will I move the lead down?