More than two thirds of women who work in the home and have a third level education do not want to return to a paid job, according to a survey issued Wednesday.

SOLAS, an agency of the Dept of Education and Skills, conducted research on 218,000 women, aged between 20 – 64, who are not participating in the labour force.

122,500 have a Leaving Cert or less; 31,700 have further educational training, and some 57,500 have third level education. It found the majority of the women – regardless of their education level – said they did not wish to return to the labour force.

Of the 57,500 women with a third level education, some 6,600 or 11pc are available for work but are not seeking it, 19pc or 11,200 want a job but can’t work as they are caring for others or for personal reasons, and 68pc or 38,900 women do not want a job, the survey says.

Some 47pc of women with third-level qualifications have children aged five or younger, compared to 25pc for women with upper secondary education or less.