Sir, - I could not agree more with the sentiments expressed by Marie Peirce (May 11th). I am a mother of two children under five, both attending the same nursery. My daughter attends the Montessori school and my son the babycare room. I returned to work when my son reached one year old for reasons that are not solely financial, and I am happy in my work, but this is soon to change. At the moment my take-home salary is barely scraping above the childcare costs which I fork out each month.
In September my four-year-old will start primary school. I have already informed my employer that unless there is a part-time position available, I can no longer work. The reason? I cannot afford to pay the rate necessary to hire a reliable childminder for my daughter and son for five afternoons a week while also paying the nursery to keep the baby in the mornings. I am on a good salary (for an administrative position) but the costs of continued employment would far exceed the benefits of doing so. My employer has informed me that there are no part-time positions available so I have to leave my position in September.
Parents should either receive tax breaks (and soon) for the childcare costs incurred when two parents work, or the Government will have to justify the inevitable "brain drain" of educated qualified women (and/or men), who choose to stay with their children at home as it does not make financial sense to try to work elsewhere. - Yours, etc., (Mrs) R. Cleary,
Quinns Road, Shankill, Co Dublin.