Why we do it

Challenges

Too many mums in Ireland are forced to choose between their children and their independence. While women’s participation in the workforce has grown overall, care responsibilities remain one of the biggest barriers to work.

Caring responsibilities are a major barrier to work
→ Almost 3 in 10 women (29%) cite caring duties as the main reason they are not in paid employment.
(Family Carers Ireland, “Gender Dimensions of Care”, 2021)

Lack of flexibility drives women out of jobs
→ Over 60% of women in Ireland have either left or considered leaving their job due to inflexible work conditions.
(Flexidus/LinkedIn Report, 2022 via ThinkBusiness.ie)

Childcare in Ireland can take up to half of a parent’s wage
→ In some areas, families spend up to 49% of a full-time minimum wage on childcare
→ Monthly costs commonly exceed €1,000–€1,600 per child
→ In contrast, Sweden caps childcare at just 3% of income, with parents paying around €150 per month
‍(Social Justice Ireland; RTÉ; UNICEF; European Commission – Sweden childcare model)
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Financial dependency increases vulnerability
→ More than 1 in 3 women (35%) in Ireland have experienced abuse from a partner, with financial dependence often making it harder to leave.
(Women’s Aid, Annual Impact Report 2024)
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Domestic abuse is rising
→ In 2024, there were 46,765 disclosures of domestic abuse made to Women’s Aid the highest on record.
(Women’s Aid Annual Impact Report, 2024)
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Many mothers fall through the cracks of existing employment supports
→ Unless registered as full-time jobseekers or single parents, most mothers cannot access state programmes like Community Employment (CE) or Tús
→ These schemes are designed for full-time availability, excluding mothers who can only work during school hours
→ As a result, thousands of capable women are left without access to training, placements, or support
(Based on Department of Social Protection eligibility criteria for CE and Tús, 2024)

This is not just a social problem, it is a rights issue. Mothers have the right to fair work, equal opportunities, and protection from economic vulnerability. When childcare is unaffordable, when flexible work is unavailable, when women are penalised for caregiving, it reflects a wider structural inequality. Our work is grounded in international human rights standards including CEDAW, the EU Work–Life Balance Directive, and principles of equality and non-discrimination.

The Impact on Families & Children

When mums can’t access flexible, family-friendly work, the effects ripple through their families, communities, and the wider economy.

Financial stress at home
→ When one parent is locked out of work, families lose income, stability, and confidence
→ Children in financially vulnerable households face greater risks to wellbeing and development
(Growing Up in Ireland, ESRI/Trinity, 2017)
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Childcare costs limiting opportunities
→ Families in Ireland face some of the highest childcare costs in Europe
→ The cost of childcare can effectively cancel out most of a second income
→ Many mothers are forced to reduce hours or leave work entirely
(Irish Times, 2018)
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Stress and mental health
→ Financial strain and dependency at home take a significant toll on mental health
→ Research links parental financial stress to poorer outcomes for children, including emotional wellbeing, physical health, and education
(Growing Up in Ireland, ESRI/Trinity, 2017 , OECD – Child Well-being and Household Income, UNICEF – Child Well-being in Rich Countries)

Communities lose out
→ When mothers are sidelined, communities lose more than workers: they lose experience, empathy, leadership, and contribution
→ Many mothers remain excluded not by choice, but because work and family structures do not align
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The economy loses long-term strength.
→ Thousands of capable women are unable to contribute due to inflexible systems
→ Creating flexible, school-hour jobs would strengthen local economies, reduce dependency, and improve overall wellbeing
(OECD – Gender Equality / Labour Market reports)
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Wellbeing declines.
→ When mothers are forced out of the workforce, rates of stress, isolation, and financial anxiety rise sharply
→ Supporting work-life balance is a public health issue

Our Vision & The Solution

At Mums Hub, we believe every mother deserves:

At Mums Hub, we believe every mother deserves:

Community → support, connection, and a sense of belonging

Dignity → meaningful, fairly paid work‍

Opportunity → to use her skills while being present for her children
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How We Make a Difference

We don’t just recognise the problem, we actively work to change it.

Connecting Mums to Opportunities

→ Every mum we work with is supported to create an individual pathway back to work, shaped around her skills, experience, and family life
→ We help identify local job opportunities, relevant training, and practical next steps
‍→ So far, we have supported over 20 mums into upskilling opportunities, helping them rebuild confidence and move closer to employment
→ We are continuing to develop employer partnerships to expand access to flexible, family-friendly roles

Upskilling Pathways

→ We partner with education centres and training providers to offer free or low-cost courses
→ All opportunities are designed to fit within school hours and real-life schedules
→ This helps mums rebuild confidence, refresh skills, and return to meaningful employment at their own pace

Community Support

→ Mums Hub is more than a pathway to employment, it’s a supportive network of mothers supporting mothers
→ We create spaces where mums can build confidence, share experiences, and support each other’s progress
→ This includes CV workshops, confidence-building programmes, and practical support sessions designed to help mums take the next step
→ Alongside this, we raise awareness of the need for flexible, family-friendly work in every community

Policy & Advocacy

→ Our work is grounded in international standards including CEDAW, the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

→ We are actively engaging in national policy discussions on care, work, and economic security for mothers

→ This includes:

Submitting policy briefs to local TDs
Ongoing conversations with local TDs and councillors to highlight the realities facing mothers
Providing input into the European Child Guarantee implementation
Contributing to the Department of Social Protection consultation on the successor to Pathways to Work 2021–2025

→ Alongside this, we are building a growing body of insight through research, data gathering, and public commentary, including a regular newsletter exploring the intersection of care, work, and economic security for mothers

→ We are currently developing a comprehensive policy brief and future campaign, focused on driving long-term structural change for mothers in Ireland

→ Our advocacy focuses on:

affordable childcare
flexible and school-hour work
protection from discrimination
fair access to employment and pensions
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Our Vision

Mums Hub is working towards a future where care is recognised, valued, and properly supported — not treated as invisible or secondary work.

We believe that:

Care is essential work — without it, nothing else functions
Mothers should have access to meaningful, fairly paid work, in ways that reflect real family life
Work should adapt to life — not force families to adapt to rigid systems

Core vision

→ We are building a future where mothers can work if they want to, and in ways that work for them
→ Where care is not penalised, but respected and supported
→ And where the gender pay gap is not just discussed — but actively closed through structural change

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→ We believe the gender pay gap cannot be closed without recognising and valuing care
→ Because without care, there is no workforce, no economy, and no society

What we are working towards

Over the next two years, we aim to:

Support and employ a growing team of mothers within Mums Hub
Connect more mums with flexible, school-hour roles
Build a network of employers and training providers who prioritise balance, wellbeing, and inclusion

→ To support long-term sustainability, we are developing income-generating social enterprise initiatives that create meaningful, creative work for mothers: recognising their skills, time, and contribution

→ Alongside this, we are expanding community-based support initiatives to ensure no mother is left without access to support, connection, and opportunity

→ Our broader goal is to see mothers recognised as part-time jobseekers, unlocking fair access to employment, training, and progression opportunities that reflect real family life, and recognise care as a central part of society

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Why We Need You

Mums Hub is more than a project, it’s a movement to rebuild balance, dignity, and opportunity for mothers and families across Ireland.

Real change happens when communities, employers, and families work together.

If you’re a mum

→ Take the first step towards work that fits your life
→ We’ll support you in creating an individual pathway back to work, shaped around your skills, experience, and family reality
→ Through workshops, confidence-building programmes, and practical support, we’ll help you move forward at your own pace

If you’re an employer or organisation

→ Partner with us to access reliable, local talent
→ Flexible roles, even small, school-hour or pilot opportunities, can make a meaningful difference
→ By offering flexibility, you strengthen your team, improve retention, and support gender equality

→ You also align with modern employment standards, including the EU Work-Life Balance Directive, Employment Equality Acts, and ESG expectations

→ We can support you in creating fair, inclusive roles that work for both your organisation and parents

📧 Email: info@mumshub.ie

If you’re a supporter or advocate

→ Help us grow this movement and create real change

→ You can:

Donate to support our work (you’ll link this later)
Follow and engage with our social media content
Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed and involved
Share our mission and start conversations in your community

→ Every action, big or small, helps build a future where flexible, family-friendly work is recognised as essential, not optional

Why We Do It