An interim examiner has been appointed by the High Court to Mothercare Ireland.
The company employs 276 people in 18 shops across Ireland.
It is a franchise of Mothercare UK.
The firm says it will trade as normal during the examinership process.
It also says that staff and suppliers will be paid as normal, and all gift cards and family card points will be honoured.
Mr Justice Brian Mc Govern listed the case to go before the court again on July 30th.
Meanwhile the Government is being urged to tackle commercial rents before it finishes its term in office.
The call from Retail Excellence Ireland follows Mothercare Ireland and Best Menwear's decisions to enter examinership in the last two days.
David Fitzsimmons of REI says real estate agents also bear some responsibility for the difficulty the sector is facing:
Newstalk.com's business editor, Vincent Wall, told Newstalk Lunchtime customers looking for bargains and upward-only rents are creating tough conditions:
