New Cork Chamber Report Highlights Critical Need to Bridge Childcare Gap and Support Cork’s Growing

-36% of respondents report employees leaving or declining roles due to childcare challenges-

Key findings

• 68% surveyed evaluated the current Irish childcare system as ‘not fit for purpose’.

• 36% state that childcare challenges have directly resulted in employees leaving the organisation or declining roles.

• 57% report that childcare challenges are having a ‘moderate’ or ‘significant’ impact on their workforce.

• 75% of respondents have seen an increased demand for flexible working arrangements as a result of childcare challenges.

• 69% of respondents would consider supporting childcare through models such as corporate crèches or tax-incentivised partnerships with providers if appropriate Government incentives were introduced.

Cork Chamber, the voice of business in Cork, has today published a new report highlighting how gaps in childcare provision are creating sustained operational challenges for employers across the region. The report also points to a clear opportunity for businesses to be part of the solution, particularly through the development of employer-supported childcare models such as corporate crèches, where appropriate Government supports are in place.

As Cork continues to experience significant growth and investment, this report emphasises that childcare must be recognised as essential economic infrastructure underpinning workforce participation and long-term regional competitiveness.

Cork Chamber President Susie Horgan said, “Cork’s economy is growing strongly, but childcare is increasingly impacting on workforce participation. Over a third of employers are seeing staff leave or turn down roles due to childcare pressures, and 88% report a disproportionate impact on women’s participation and progression. These are real operational constraints affecting productivity, retention and talent development.”
 
The findings of this report show that childcare constraints are already having a material impact on businesses, with 36% of respondents reporting that staff have left roles or declined opportunities due to childcare issues. More than half (57%) report a moderate or significant impact on their workforce, while 62% cite increased absenteeism linked to childcare logistics. Employers also highlight a disproportionate impact on women, with 88% noting greater effects on female employees.

The report draws on insights from Cork Chamber members, HR professionals, and childcare providers, and identifies structural issues across affordability, availability, and staffing capacity. These constraints are contributing to recruitment difficulties, reduced working hours, and retention challenges for employers.

Despite these challenges, the report also highlights strong employer willingness to engage in solutions. 69% of businesses would consider supporting childcare provision through corporate crèches or tax-incentivised partnerships if appropriate Government supports were introduced, while 62% believe responsibility should be shared across Government, employers, and providers.

Fiona O’Donovan, Public Affairs Manager at Cork Chamber commented, “The solutions proposed in this report are practical, focused on affordability, capacity and workforce stability, and can deliver meaningful improvements for both employers and employees.
“There is strong appetite among employers to support solutions, particularly where policy frameworks enable it. Nearly 70% would consider engaging in employer-supported childcare models if incentives were in place.

Key Recommendations
Cork Chamber is calling for targeted, practical measures to strengthen childcare provision and support workforce participation including:

• Encouragement of employer-supported childcare, including tax credits for corporate crèches

• Fee caps based on percentage of income to ensure affordability

• Professionalisation of the workforce, including public sector pay parity for early years educators comparable to primary school teachers

• Support for registered home-based childcare to expand accessible options

Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy added, “Childcare is a fundamental part of the infrastructure needed to support investment and talent attraction in Cork. Joined up thinking and solutions-oriented approach is needed to enhance service provision. Targeted Government action on affordability, capacity and workforce conditions will be critical to unlocking that potential.”

Full Report: Download full report