A Government Minister has admitted that childcare costs are preventing many women from fully taking part in the workforce.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin says improving the "affordability" of creches and after-school activities is a priority for the cabinet in the year ahead.

Ireland is now regarded as the most expensive country in the world for childcare - alongside the United States.

The Cabinet is expected to discuss measures to ease the cost on working parents today

It's understood the proposals under consideration include a second free pre-school year and the possibility of giving tax credits to parents who pay for childcare while they work.

Minister Brendan Howlin says he wants to see that change:

Meanwhile, Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the government to invest more in subsidising early childhood education.

Early Childhood Ireland says the government needs to increase its investment from 0.2 per cent of GDP to the European average of 0.7 per cent.