The Childcare 2000 campaign is recommending a universal, taxable payment to all families.

It is promoting the ideal that all children are valued equally and should secure quality, regulated childcare.

Children and families experiencing disadvantage and social exclusion should take priority, it says.

The campaign says its proposal would cost the Government £744 million (€944 million) in the forthcoming Budget. Children up to the age of five would be eligible for a payment of £20 a week, with those up to 14 receiving £10 a week.

It also recommends a £20 million scheme to support the childcare costs of low-income parents participating in training or education programmes and child benefit payments of £100 a month.

Another element would be additional funding of £100 million for low-income families with places under the Equal Opportunities Child care Programme and the Early Childhood Education infrastructure.

The Childcare 2000 campaign comprises the National Women's Council, the National Children's Nurseries Association, the Early Childhood Association, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Child minding Ireland and An Comhchoiste iamhscolai ochta Reamhscol aiochta Teo.