73 childcare services in the city and county have closed since 2017.
That’s according to Tusla figures released to Cork TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire which show there are 384 less childcare places in the city than there was five years ago.
The childcare sector has been struggling with recruitment and retention of staff, with many leaving the sector during the pandemic.
The early years sector has been warning that urgent investment is needed to help bring down the cost for operators and parents.
Speaking to RedFM News, Cork Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire says many families are finding childcare too expensive.
"The fees are like a second mortgage, even trying to find a place is impossible, and it is holding people back enormously.
"It's causing huge hardship, it's preventing people from going out to work, it needs to be addressed, and we also need to ensure that childcare workers are paid properly."
