Ireland ranks among the worst in Europe for meeting people's child and home care needs, according to a new ESRI study.
Out of eleven countries surveyed, Ireland has the fourth-highest level of unmet need for childcare.
25% of lone-parent families in Ireland reported an unmet need for childcare - compared to only 8% in Denmark.
In terms of unmet needs for home care, Ireland has the second-highest rate, behind only Greece.
In Denmark, 80% of older people who need help receive home care services - which compares to 42% in Ireland and only 12% in Greece.
The study found cost to be the main barrier to childcare for families, while availability was the biggest problem for those seeking home care services.
According to the research, access to care services was greater in generous welfare states such as Scandinavian countries - including for more vulnerable families and individuals.
Bertrand Maitre, author of the study, suggests the research highlights the need for new measures to address the unmet needs.
He explained: “Compared to countries with more generous welfare states, cost is a barrier to accessing childcare in Ireland and this has an impact on mothers’ employment.
"Access to home care services needs to be improved, especially for working-age families with a member who needs help because of illness or disability."
Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty, meanwhile, insisted the findings of the report 'will inform the actions' the Government takes to address people's unmet child and home care needs.
