The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) wants to hear your views on the cost of childcare. And Congress is also asking workers aged under 35 to complete its short survey about housing.

Speaking about the launch of the surveys, ICTU president Patricia King called for people to share their experiences. “Too many workers are struggling to make ends meet at a time when the economy and labour market continue to improve. The rise in childcare and housing costs have been dramatic in recent years,” she said.

The surveys will be used to gather information on these two crucial issues and guide Congress policy and lobbying. The surveys will also help demonstrate the negative effects that excessive living costs are having on workers.

Congress also believes the surveys will highlight the rising cost of housing for young workers and childcare costs for working parents, which is not evenly spread across the country.

A recent ESRI report into childcare found that rising costs throughout Ireland could discourage people from continuing to work unless more affordable childcare could be made available.

Fórsa has also been campaigning on the housing crisis and rising rental costs through the homeless and housing coalition, which held a demonstration in Dublin in early April  The union continues to lobby Government on these issues.