‘Work is about having a bit of a life for myself’

By Claire O’Sullivan

After handing over €660 a month on child-minder and play school bills, almost 75% of her monthly salary, she is left with little more than €200 a from her administration job at UCC.

The mother-of-two has given up getting angry about the lack of childcare provision in successive budgets, resigned to the fact that the Government doesn’t regard granting tax breaks to working parents as a priority.

“I don’t think it’s seen as a priority by the Government. I was surprised that we got the €10 increase in childcare. I do believe, however, that the Government will be forced to do something in the next 10 years as it gets worse,” she said.

Nicola’s eldest son Sam is four and she recently returned to work after the birth of nine-month-old Rory.

She job shares with another working mum, alternating between a three-day and a two-day working week. Her husband James works as an accountant.

“I considered not returning to work because of the increased childcare costs but I’m not obviously doing it for the money. I wonder why I’m working for so little but it’s my choice.

“For me, work is about having a bit of a life for myself. It also means that I enjoy my time at home with the children as I have my time away also.”

Nicola, who lives in Ballincollig, Co Cork, is convinced that the lack of affordable childcare is hampering women’s career progression.

“It is definitely stopping women from progressing to management. I couldn’t apply for a management position because job sharing wouldn’t be an option and I wouldn’t be able to afford the childcare.

“The lack of affordable childcare means that women’s careers are taking a back seat or else they just can’t afford to be at work.”

As vital as tax concessions are, Nicola believes that the culture of the workplace must also change. “I’m lucky that I have good employers but most people are expected to put in long hours and there are dirty looks about taking time off when a child is sick. The lack of family-friendly workplaces is putting more pressure on stressed out families.”