Concern is being expressed in Clare that reimbursing grandparents who mind their grandchildren won’t get to the root of the real problem.
The Independent Alliance is seeking support of the €1,000 per year grant for grandparents who are helping out with childcare.
In their first pre-Budget negotiations with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, the Independent Alliance has called for a €1,000 annual payment to grandparents who look after their grandchildren.
The so called ‘granny grant’ would be available to all grandparents who care for their grandchildren for more than 10 hours per week.
The self-assessed payment would be issued through the Department of Social Protection, with Shane Ross of the Independent Alliance saying it would recognise the vital role played by grandparents in raising their families.
Minister Donohoe says he’ll take the proposal into consideration but it raises questions about other family members who muck in too.
The so-called ‘Granny Grant’ has received a lukewarm welcome here in Clare.
Stella O’Gorman is Vice Chair of the Clare Age Friendly County Programme and says it’s a welcome start to placing some value on the role played by grandparents in the family.
However, her concern is that it’s not addressing the real issue here – which is astronomical childcare costs.
But while concerns are being expressed, these people think it could really benefit families.
