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10th Mar 2019

‘It is a struggle’: Claire Byrne says working Irish mums need better childcare options

The mum-of-three wants more support to keep women in work.

Anna O'Rourke

Claire Byrne has admitted that she finds balancing family life with her work “a struggle”.

The broadcaster said that childcare is a “huge problem” for Irish families – and that hers isn’t exempt.

“Being quite honest, it is always difficult, it is a struggle,” the mum-of-three told The Herald.

“Yesterday I was making two dinners, one for yesterday, one for today and you’re always thinking about not being there the next day and telling your children, ‘I have to go to work’.

“It is always a juggle but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I love my children and love my work and I am not going to give up work.

“I’m not the kind of person who could stay home all the time. I really admire people who do that, it is the hardest job in the world.”

Claire, who hosts Claire Byrne Live on RTÉ One, added that the childcare crisis seems to be impacting on women more than men.

“I always remember that time in my career when women around me started having children.

“They had one child and they came back to work; they had two children and they start dropping off and people start giving up work to stay at home.

“It seems predominantly women that have to do that.”