Booking a babysitter so you can enjoy dinner without a highchair at your table, or a watch a movie that doesn't feature a dancing cartoon animal, is a sacred treat looked forward to by many a parent all week.
These days however, the cost of a babysitter is making it almost impossible for many parents to carve out a night off.
According to a survey released by consumer network One Big Switch, Irish parents shell out an average of €112 for a night out that includes five hours babysitting at €50. Ireland is the third most expensive country in Europe for parents who are interested in having a social life, coming in behind Denmark and Luxembourg, where the average cost is €131 and €117 respectively.
In countries with a higher minimum wage, the cost of a night out tended to be more expensive.
It's not all bad news however; if you like to go out more than once a week, you could consider a move to Bulgaria, where a night on the tiles will set you back just €24, or the Czech Republic, where a babysitter, dinner and drinks will cost you just €29.
