Sir – I read with interest Margaret E Ward’s article entitled “‘Saving the family’ is really about putting women back in their box”, (April 22nd).
Are we really a whole lot better than the US when it comes to maternity and childcare?
A large cohort of women are only paid for 26 weeks of maternity leave. At the same time, it is virtually impossible to secure childcare for a child under 12 months. In effect, such women are paid for only half their maternity leave (or put another way, paid half their salary for a year’s maternity leave).
Monthly childcare costs are often more than a mortgage repayment, typically around €1,500. I laugh when I hear German friends complain about paying the “enormous” amount of €200 per month for their child’s kindergarten place, a place guaranteed by the German state for every child in Germany. Securing a creche place here needs to be done at or before the time of conception.
RM Block
The children’s allowance at €140 per month does not stretch to covering a month’s baby formula, never mind including nappies, clothing, bedding and everything else a small child needs.
The State is surfing on a wave of mothers’ goodwill and natural love and affection for their children, while leaving the hard yards of financial support to families to bear. – Yours. etc
JULIA DRENNANJulia Drennan,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.
