Situation in Tramore reflects growing presence of childcare deserts across the country, says NWC

Published: Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Tramore parents say 49% increase in childcare places needed to meet demand

Situation in Tramore reflects growing presence of childcare deserts across the country, says National Women’s Council

The Tramore Childcare Campaign has released figures showing that at least 62% of respondents to a survey conducted could not find suitable childcare in Tramore. The group formed in response to a feeling that the childcare crisis is particularly acute in the town, and they are affiliated with Together for Public, a national alliance calling for a public system of childcare. They calculate that at least 49% more spaces are needed to meet the childcare demand in the town, particularly for under 3s. They also note that the lack of afterschool is causing significant difficulties for parents.

The response to the survey suggests that at least 152 more childcare places are currently needed in Tramore. It is estimated that there are currently 374 (occupied) places available across Tramore. The shortage is more acute for under 3s, where a 49% increase in places is needed, and significantly more than is currently available at the afterschool stage. These figures reflect the picture across the country, where baby and toddler spaces are consistently too low to meet demand.

Carrie O’Hanlon, a parent of two young girls who has had to take extended unpaid leave because of the childcare situation, said:

“As a mother of two forced to take significant unplanned leave by Tramore's childcare crisis, I know firsthand that this isn't an inconvenience—it's a structural barrier. The relentless demands of motherhood leave women with no capacity to advocate for such structural change, which is how this crisis has mushroomed; mothers simply absorb the career, financial, and emotional costs as a private sacrifice. But a private sacrifice is no substitute for public infrastructure. We are done waiting for piecemeal fixes: Tramore needs direct state-led investment and real accountability so the women, and families in our community have genuine security of choice."

76% of those surveyed said the crisis in the town was increasing stress in their household. 49% said they were unable to return to work because of it. This latter piece is particularly felt by women, who are often unable to return to work on dates demanded by their employers. 84% of respondents to the survey were women.

Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director of the National Women’s Council (NWC), said:

“What’s happening in Tramore is happening right across the country. The lack of quality, affordable childcare is the number one barrier to gender equality in Ireland, and the situation in Tramore illustrates exactly why that is. We urge the government to take action on this in Budget 2027 and begin the rollout of pilot models of public childcare right across the country, especially in childcare deserts like Tramore.”

The survey also highlighted a reliance on informal childcare arrangements, often involving grandparents, which parents felt could place an undue burden on them.

Ms Hasson continued:

“Reliance on informal care networks is often not an option for migrant women, who may not have family nearby. The childcare crisis impacts groups like migrant women, Traveller and Roma women, and parents of children with additional needs even more acutely. In a public system, every child would be guaranteed a place by law, so that no matter where their parents are from, who they are, or what needs a child might have, they would be educated and cared for during those crucial early years.”