Barriers to affordable and accessible childcare are something the Government can remove, the Director of the National Women's Council has said.
Parents across Ireland are taking part in a day of action to call for public childcare.
With Budget 2024 on the horizon, parents say they are struggling to find quality childcare for their children.
Campaigners are calling on the Government to commit to providing a secure and stable start for children.
National Women's Council Director Orla O'Connor told The Pat Kenny Show the building blocks are there.
"We're saying very clearly to Government that yes, they need to make provision in this budget and continue with the promise that they gave last year to reduce fees," she said.
"They started that and we really welcomed it and they need to continue that.
"There's a longer-term piece here, and that is about a public model.
"We've seen in countries like Finland and Denmark there's a statutory right for every child for early years provision... and that's such a big issue.
"I've been director now in the Women's Council for over 10 years, and this is the constant issue that is raised in terms of being a barrier.
"The lack of affordable, accessible and flexible childcare is still an enormous barrier, and it's something that we can solve."
Ms O’Connor said the Government needs to keep moving.
"We need to transition to a system much more like our primary school system, where we see early years and out of school hours in that same way," she said.
"The important thing is Government have put in place the building blocks for this model... but they need to continue on that journey.
"That's why we're putting up those comparisons of other European countries where there's that guarantee for children," she added.
