RTE star Claire Byrne has revealed she was forced back to RTE by her mortgage – as she “can’t afford” not to work.
The TV presenter – who is mum to Patrick, 14 months, and 16-week-old Jane – said her negative equity mortgage prevented her staying at home.
The 39-year-old only took two weeks off before the kids were born, and 10 weeks afterwards.
And Claire told the Irish Daily Mail her short maternity leave is simply down to what she can afford.
Back to work: Claire couldn’t afford to take a longer maternity leave | ANDRES POVEDA
She said: “I am one of those people who suffers with a negative equity mortgage and that is one of the reasons why I came back to work. I can’t afford to be off for a long period of time.”
And Claire, who is engaged to long-term partner Gerry Scollan, said felt she needed to get back to work – where she recently started hosting Claire Byrne Live.
“I took two weeks off before and ten weeks after, which is what I did with Patrick. With Patrick, I felt like I had a good bit of time off cooing with my new baby.
“This time around, it has been very different because on top of looking after Patrick I had Jane” she revealed.
Growing brood: Claire and partner Gerry have a much busier household with new baby  Jane | VIPIRELAND.COM
“So it was busier for a start. There was also the prospect of the new show so I was in and out a little bit more in RTE than if I had been completely off.
“I really admire people who can stay at home for six months or a year or longer. I don’t know who they do it. I need to get out of the house.”
“I am actually a better mother when I am in and out, and I am lucky with my job in RTE that it is flexible. It’s good for me, and I think it will be good for them as well.”
“I’m not going to pretend that I am a stay-at-home mother. I am not that sort of person. I wish I could be but I am not – so they need to know that I am someone who works but who is also mammy when I am there.”
