The Children's Minister has threatened to introduce price caps on creches that are unfairly increasing fees.

Katherine Zappone has also argued that her negotiating power in the budget will be weakened by childcare providers hiking prices.

Minister @KZapponeTD begins the hard budget negotiations in Tallaght crèche pic.twitter.com/uDX9puN0G1

— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) September 1, 2017

But Early Childhood Ireland have warned fees will increase until they're 100% Government funded, due to demands placed on the sector.

Minister Katherine Zappone says charges need to be reasonable and affordable.

She suggested: "My message as Minister is that... if you don't need to increase your fees, don't."

"If you don't need to increase your prices, don't" says Minister @KZapponeTD to childcare providers. Threatens caps on fees if they do pic.twitter.com/Bi9zSIKnKZ

— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) September 1, 2017