That's according to figures from the National Women's Council.
Parents in the midlands are paying over €800 a month for a childcare.
That's according to new research from the National Women's Council, which is is calling on politicians to commit to a public system of early childhood education and care in the next programme for Government.
The survey shows it costs €900 a month in Offaly, while in Westmeath it's €840 and in Laois people are paying €800 every four weeks to have their child minded.
Women’s Economic Equality Coordinator with the NWC, Donal Swan, says now is the time to commit to real change: