Once again, the issue of childcare cost raises its ugly head.
A recent study shows that parents must fork out up to €30,000 a year just to cover the costs of childcare for two children.
This is double the money that parents in other European countries have to pay, largely due to the lack of Government funding here.
Early Childhood Ireland carried out the research.
A number of speakers will participate today in hearings at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on issues surrounding how quality and affordable childcare can be developed.