Childcare facilities across the country are struggling to recruit and retain staff.
36 per cent of people working in childcare are actively seeking to leave the sector.
An Early Years Staffing and Pay Survey, conducted by SIPTU, found 38 per cent of managers find it difficult to hire and recruit staff due to low pay and conditions.
Over 2,100 people took part in the survey which was carried out in late March.
The Government increased funding to the sector by an extra 173 million euro last year.
SIPTU's Darragh O'Connor says more money is needed to attract people into childcare:
"Government need to be able to invest more money, and employers need to be able to sit down and negotiate a decent deal that will attract and retain people into the sector".
