Average Mayo childcare cost now stands at €155 per week

A NEW report which provides an overview of the 4,300 facilities providing childcare services across Ireland shows that the average weekly cost of a full-time place in a childcare facility in Mayo is €151.41.

Nationally, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown had highest childcare costs in the State with a weekly average fee of €213.94 for a full-time place, while Co. Monaghan was the least expensive with a weekly rate of €142.14. The national average is €167.03 per week.

Overall, throughout Ireland, between September 2015 and June 2016, 73,964 children enrolled in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free preschool year.

This represents an increase of 13% on the previous year and increased expenditure on the scheme by 28%, up to €178 million.

The report was compiled and prepared by Pobal and launched by Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.