The National Women’s Council (NWCI) is calling on the government to make fully public-funded childcare a budget priority. The group, which represents almost 200 women’s organisations across the island of Ireland, argues that childcare funding should be publicly provided to reduce costs for families and support working parents. In its statement, the NWCI frames childcare as an issue with broader social and economic impact, linking it to women’s participation in the workforce and overall equality outcomes. The council’s position is that the budget should deliver more comprehensive childcare support rather than relying on partial or cost-sharing arrangements. The call is presented as part of the lead-up to budget planning, with the council urging decision-makers to treat childcare as a key policy priority. The reports from both outlets reflect the same core message: the NWCI wants fully public-funded childcare prioritised in the upcoming budget, reflecting the scale of the organisation’s membership and its focus on women’s issues.