A mother of five has said she is happy to keep her children at home today while public sector workers strike, as they all “deserve better”. 

Some 300,000 public sector workers have gone on strike today, after unions and the Government failed to reach an agreement on pay. 

Unions argue that inflation has made the cost of living unbearable for many workers, while the Government has insisted that the public sector is generously paid. 

Minister Peter Burke has said that any pay agreement must be “sustainable” and deliver “better public services”. 

On Lunchtime Live, former nurse Shirley said she “fully agrees” with the strike. 

“They've been treated very unfairly and the work that they do, in particular nurses,” she argued. 

“Nurses work very, very hard; you're dealing with a lot of sadness and a lot of happiness.

“Nurses definitely go above and beyond in Ireland - I can vouch for that.”

Public sector workers on strike. Picture by: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

The mother of five continued that “everyone is suffering” because of the cost of living and that the increase in income tax thresholds in the budget are “simply not good enough”. 

“People have mortgages to pay, they have bills to pay, they have to send their children to creche,” she said. 

“I know our children are off school today, but I think it's only one day. 

“These nurses, teachers, everyone, they all deserve better.”

Main image: Public sector workers on strike. Picture by: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie