The reason women are twice as likely to miss work than men

More than 30 percent of parents miss work due to lack of childcare, a new survey has revealed.

A survey of over 1,000 people found that women are twice as likely to miss work than men because of lack of childcare. Seas Suas conducted the survey that found that women are more commonly professionally impacted when it comes to their children’s early education and childcare.

“We live in an era where many social barriers have been broken down,” Seas Suas chairperson, Regina Bushell, said of the findings. “But as our survey shows, many women continue to be impeded in reaching their full potential in the workplace, as they disproportionately carry the burden of the lack of access to childcare.”

The research found that costs were the biggest reason for concern when it came to childcare, a reality that the researchers say is both disappointing and concerning.

“While State supports have increased in recent years, Ireland still lags far behind most other EU countries. “It is also very disappointing to see the impact the lack of affordable childcare is having on women, in particular,” Bushell added. "As Ireland now reaches full employment, access to affordable childcare is not just a concern for women or families, but a significant societal and economic issue, which will impede our further growth unless meaningfully addressed through increased State supports for families."