'Women in the North are now worse off than their mothers', says Aontú candidate for Carntogher

Ballinascreen Aontú candidate for Carntogher, Noreen McEldowney has spoken out against the lack of support for working mothers and families.

“Mothers are struggling with the decision to work or stay at home because they simply can't afford childcare,” Mrs McEldowney explained.


“My childcare bill is over £1,200 per month. I know how mothers with young children feel,” she continued.

“We have all had those discussions with our husbands, partners and ourselves. Is this worth it? Would I be better off staying at home?”

As a trainee solicitor, Mrs McEldowney is currently a full time student and as a result does not qualify for childcare support from Universal Credit but she does avail of the 20 percent voucher scheme from HMRC.

“It is so hard. I have experienced at first hand the personal dilemma and pressures mothers put themselves through. I only have my baby in childcare full time because that’s all we can afford. Our three year-old has to go out on the farm with his daddy because we simply could not afford to pay for childcare for him full time.

“I have spoken to a lot of local mothers who feel the same. One mother explained how she had considered giving up her job because it wasn't paying her after she paid her childcare. Another mother who is expecting was apprehensive about the future because the cost of childcare for two children would simply be unaffordable.

“Some families can avail of the government's 20 percent tax-free childcare scheme but its capped at £2,000. I heard of one mother who was quoted £2,500 for childcare cost, like how is anyone expected to afford that. Those who get support from Universal Credit which has been frozen at the same level for six years are always living in a deficit. They can't seem to get ahead.”

Mrs McEldowney also added that more needs to be done for those working in the childcare sector.

“Mid Ulster Council recently decided to increase business rates by over four percent. This along with the rise in the national living wage next month, will mean childcare facilities will have no other option but to increase costs. It isn’t good enough. Why did local councillors agree to this when instead, we should be supporting our local businesses and not putting more financial pressure on them.”

Mrs McEldowney also raised concerns about those employed in the childcare sector.

“Those who work within the childcare sector work long hours and receive minimum wage. Any childcare strategy implemented needs to also include financial support and incentives for those working within childcare. Otherwise we are going to lose valuable staff or see childcare centres close.”

Recently, another local woman Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick submitted evidence to a Westminster committee on the cost of living crisis and called on Stormont to implement an immediate childcare strategy should it return.

That evidence showed that 19 percent of women in the North, with school age children, are economically inactive, that is, they are not working in paid employment.

“Stormont and Westminster are failing mothers and families in the North in more ways than one. It just isn't working,” she continued.

“25 years on from the Good Friday Agreement and women are worse off than our mothers.  We are losing valuable, talented women from our workforce because the can't afford to pay childcare costs. It is 2023 and women are still being forced to choose between working or staying at home.”