The average cost of childcare is €700 per month per child, rising to €1,000 in urban centres.

Irish parents pay twice as much as other parents in Europe - and need to earn around €30,000 a year to pay for two children in childcare.

Affordability and quality in the sector will be discussed at the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children today.

A number of speakers will address the committee on how quality and affordable childcare can be developed.

One of those speaking will be Tereasa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland.

She told Newstalk Breakfast she expects around €100m will be allocated in the next budget to help alleviate the crisis.

But she says that a decision has to be made on where that money should go.