THE SDLP’s Derry Assembly member Sinéad McLaughlin warns a lack of affordable childcare in Derry is having a huge impact on parents’ careers.
Ms McLaughlin said a survey she conducted found that women were being disproportionately affected, with many having to reduce their hours, change role, or even give up their jobs.
She was speaking in response to the findings of her ‘Childcare in Derry’ online survey.
Among the findings are that 96% of respondents find it difficult to afford childcare; 60% say a lack of childcare access has led to them reducing their hours in work; and 36% say it has led to them changing jobs.
Nearly a fifth of respondents say a lack of childcare has resulted in them leaving employment, while 80% say it has hindered their career progress.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This research spells out the devastating impact that a lack of accessible and affordable childcare is having on the career prospects of parents across Derry.
“Women, as usually the primary caregivers, are often expected to take time out of their career, cut back on their working hours and in some cases even give up work all together. This just isn’t right.
“The skyrocketing costs of childcare are putting serious pressure on the finances of families in our city.
“The cost of everything from food to fuel is rising at a terribly painful rate and looks set to get worse in the coming weeks and months.
“The North West is an area of high unemployment and low incomes, so people are already struggling to keep their heads above water.
“They can’t be expected to shell out hundreds of pounds a month on childcare.
“Everyone in Derry knows that employment opportunities are limited, which causes many people to leave in search of better paid jobs.
This brain drain separates families and destroys communities. When someone is lucky enough to build a decent career for themselves it’s heart wrenching to be forced to give it up because of the lack of childcare that they can afford.
“Respondents to my survey described how they are paying more for their childcare than their mortgage; how they’ve been forced to work night shifts; and how despite both parents being in full-time employment they are still struggling as a result of childcare.
“The SDLP is committed to providing parents with 30 hours free childcare and will be bringing forward a range of further proposals on early years and childcare support in the coming weeks.
“We need to do everything we can to support parents to remain in work while providing accessible, affordable and flexible childcare.
“The lack of a current childcare strategy is a disgrace and another symptom of the damaging dysfunction at the heart of our government in the North.
“It’s deeply disappointing that this was not an Executive priority during this mandate and I will continue to fight so that parents in this city and right across the North do not lose the careers they have invested so much time and effort in.”
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