Irish childcare costs are among Europe’s highest, contrasting sharply with cheaper options in Italy and France.
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Ireland has some of the highest childcare costs in Europe, with Irish parents spending nearly double the OECD average on childcare; this is exacerbated by fee increases as over 50 providers have left a government grant scheme. In contrast, childcare is significantly cheaper in Italy and France, where Italian families benefit from tax deductions and bonuses, and French fees are tied to income and family size. Spain also faces rising costs of raising children due to inflation, with childcare being the largest expense for young children. Despite subsidies in Ireland, provider fee hikes are widening the cost gap compared to other European nations. Both Ireland and Italy struggle with long waiting lists for childcare places.
