A fresh attempt to tackle high childcare costs in Ireland is to go to Cabinet tomorrow.

Children's Minister James Reilly is reportedly proposing a seven-department committee to tackle the issue, which would report back by the summer.

According to the Irish Independent, the new proposals also suggest tax breaks and subsidies to support the cost.

The plan is set to be rolled out over several budgets.

The new plan also aims to deliver on the government commitment of a second free pre-school year.

The coalition wants to identify a range of measures to best use the €260m a year spend on childcare.

It was reported earlier this month that parents need to earn up to €30,000 a year to cover the cost of childcare for two children.

The Irish Independent, investigation found families face bills of more than €2,000 a month to keep a baby and toddler in a creche.

A survey by the paper finds that the average cost of a creche place for a baby is €888 per month - or for two children it is almost €1,600.

However this is much higher in Dublin, with the cost being €1,053 for a baby and nearly €1,900 for two.