There's a severe shortage of creche places for babies and toddlers as a result of the free childcare scheme for 3-5 year olds.
The government funded scheme now caters for 120-thousand children a year more than double the 52-thousand 600 figure in 2009.
An unintended consequence of the success of the Early Care and Education Scheme is that babies and toddlers are being squeezed out from childcare facilities.
According to the Irish Independent, parents are delaying their return to work after maternity leave because they can't find a creche place.
CEO of Early Childhood Ireland Theresa Heaney says the biggest issue is staffing: 'The low rates of pay in this sector mean that it's very hard to attract the best qualified staff but it's even hardest to retain them'.
