Who cares? The economics of childcare in Ireland

Childcare is central to women’s ability to participate in paid work. This article explores the increasing demand for childcare and women’s ability to source and retain childcare in the context of the Irish State’s neo-liberal approach to childcare provision. This article demonstrates that there are two childcare economies in Ireland—the public government supported and regulated crèche care and the informal, unregulated arrangements of private childminders. Drawing on empirical research,1 this paper examines the treatment of childcare workers by the State, “working mothers”2 and households and exposes the low economic and social value placed on childcare and childcare workers in Irish society.