'The best attitude is to just get on with it'

CASE STUDY: WEEKEND DAD:ENDA WHELTON never planned on becoming a weekend dad. But that's what he's been since the economic downturn arrived.

During the week Whelton – a 35-year-old secondary school teacher – lives in a rented house in Dublin with three others. Then on Friday evenings he drives to

Co Clare to see his wife and one-year-old daughter for the weekend. All too soon Sunday evening comes around and it’s time to hit the road again.

“You feel like you’re living for tomorrow rather than today a lot of the time,” he says. “But we’re very fortunate as well. Things could be far worse. I’m aware that some dads have had to go to Australia or the US, which is another situation entirely.”

After they got married, he and Fiona bought a house in Portlaoise, Co Laois. She had a job as a teacher there, while he commuted to work in Dublin.

When a job opportunity in Co Clare – where his wife’s family is based – came up, it seemed like a good opportunity for both of them to move there. While she got a job as a school principal, the recruitment moratorium on teachers meant Enda was unable to find a post in the area.

“Life throws these things at you, but the best attitude is to just get on with it. We’re all healthy, we’ve a lot to look forward to. I’m very upbeat and positive about the future,” says Enda. Like many of his generation, they are stuck in negative equity. They weren’t able to afford to sell the house in Portlaoise even though the rent doesn’t come anywhere close to covering the mortgage.

They have also had to adjust to significant pay cuts. In his case, he estimates that a combination of pay reductions, the pension levy and tax increases means his salary is down by between 20 and 23 per cent.

“It means we’ve had to tighten our belts like everyone else. The cost of petrol is going through the roof, which doesn’t make things any easier.

“For teachers who bought during the boom and have big mortgages, I see them really being pushed to the pin of their collar . . . they’ve soaked up as many pay cuts as they can. If it goes any further I can see a tipping point where there could be serious industrial unrest.”

While reduced incomes are taking their toll, Enda says it hasn’t taken away from his enjoyment of teaching. “I love teaching. It’s fantastic and I recommend it as a career. From what I see, teachers are doing their best and going the extra mile through doing extra-curricular activities. Despite any negativity out there, none of it makes its way into the classroom.”