Childcare providers are urging voters to treat political parties’ General Election campaign promises with caution.

From Fianna Fáil to the Social Democrats, all parties are promising lower childcare costs, with some even promising a state childcare system.

There's no doubt it's an industry with big challenges and given both availability and cost of childcare are such major issue for voters as well as the business providers, it's no wonder those bidding for election and re-election are focusing on it as a hot topic.

This morning (Thursday) Damien caught up with Elaine Walsh.

She's the owner of 'Duine Beag' childcare facility in Dunhill in Co Waterford, and you can listen back to what she had to say by clicking on the image above...