Sinn Fein says many parents are being 'locked out' of the workforce by the astronomical cost of childcare.
The party will table a motion in the Dail today to cut costs by 33%.
But Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton says that's not the only issue.
"What we're proposing is a longterm development strategy for the sector.
"it's not just costs and wages, it's shortage of supply, it's the range and flexibility of service, it's the capacity to grow new services, it's access to early intervention, to campuses of services."
