Working just doesn't pay the bills
The majority of Montessori schools in my surrounding area do not take school children for after-care those that do charge €7 an hour. If this is my only option, I will be paying €192.50 a week for part-time care.
I earn €19,500 annually and the majority of my income goes to paying my daughter's fees. I have rung everywhere to see if there is any available aftercare service and it appears that there is not, nor am I entitled to any allowance for her because I am earning too much.
The backwardness of the Government and its systems is comical. Can they not do something to keep people like myself in employment? I want to work, I am not a leech on the system but when so many obstacles are put in one's way, things seem bleak.
I am also hoping to buy my own house, which I will have to forget about if I am supposed to pay out such an extravagant amount of money, come September, for childcare. It will not be worth my while working as my income is too low to be financially viable to pay for both a mortgage and childcare.
I have a degree and I am currently employed in the insurance sector, which I enjoy, but inflation and income do not match up in Ireland.
This has been a major subject for years but, as always, the Government passes over it.
There are many single parents in this country when will we count in society? Why does it still feel shameful to be an unmarried single parent, pushed to the limit to try and keep above the poverty line?
It is no wonder many people don't vote any more because no matter what the outcome, the Government has made the decisions already.
Annemarie Kinsella
The Ovals
Rochestown
Cork
