More help for mums needed
FOR those forced to work from home who don’t have children, the lack of commute and extra hours can be a bonus, but for those trying to share their deskspace with school books or crayons, the struggle can be real.
Helen McGlone is a medical secretary, and as a single mum to two-yearold Oisin, taking the job home has meant greater challenges to her day.
“The fact that childcare and creches won’t be open until June 29th has made it extremely difficult to transfer work home,” explains Helen, who lives close to the Lourdes hospital. “There was no Covid payment for those who have to stay at home and look after their children and with a small child, time management is very hard, as you have to do all the normal mum-stuff as well as your full day at work.”
In fact, Helen has had to turn down offers of more work work during the crisis, as lack of childcare has been a real issue.
“I do some days for ophthalmologist Dr Hamroosh, and it’s great that she has changed the clinics to the weekend, but I have to rely on Oisin’s dad to take him at the weekends so I can work.”
Helen feels the extra payment should be extended to stay at home mums, and childcare should be opened sooner than scheduled.
“It’s always mammies who bear the brunt, and I think there should be some way of improving testing so the creches can open sooner than June 29th, “she adds. “I’m not sure I can wait another month, and it’s also really hard for Oisin, as he is missing his routine and all his friends too.”