Majority (67%) say ‘yes’ for granny grant of €1,000
By Mary Dennehy
THIS week The Echo asked its readers through an online Facebook poll if they believed the proposed ‘granny grant’ was a good idea or just a play for votes.
Some 999 votes were cast during a 24-hour period, with 67 per cent (666) voting Yes, it is a good idea while 33 per cent (333) voting No, the payment is not a good idea.
Transport Minister Shane Ross tabled the Indpendent Alliance idea in preliminary budget discussions, and despite generating serious debate in recent days, Minister Ross said that the “novel” idea will be pursued.
Dubbed the ‘granny grant’, the proposed €1,000 annual payment would go to grandparents who mind their grandchildren for a minimum of ten hours per week – with Minister Ross in recent days stating that the payment could go to any relative carrying out childcare duties.
However, this week the proposal has been described by Dublin South West TD Sean Crowe as a “half-baked election gimmick”.
“Minister Ross and his Independent Alliance have suggested giving a grant to grandparents which would cost taxpayers a whopping €70 million”, Deputy Crowe said.
“Surely their time would be better spent on bringing forward workable proposals that will effectively bring costs down so that every parent who wishes to avail of childcare can do so.
“Instead they appear to be looking at half-baked election gimmicks that may be popular with some grandparents but will do nothing to resolve the crisis in childcare.
“Everyone recognises the increasing and important role that many grandparents play in caring for grandchildren, but this crude giveaway proposal will not resolve the childcare crisis or make it more manageable for their children.”
Rathfarnham councillor Deirdre O’Donovan (Independ-ent) believes that while the proposal may not be the best working solution, the ‘granny grant’ does deserve to be explored.
“I think it’s definitely something that needs to be explored,” Cllr O’Donovan said.
“So many grandparents are keeping squeezed-middle families afloat, with grand-parents providing a vital service that should be acknowledged.
“I wouldn’t manage without my parents and I think its time that we acknowleged the work grandparents are doing right across the country.
“I am all for the ‘granny grant’ . . . what has been proposed may not be the solution, but it is something that needs to be explored.
“Any provision made to help parents with the cost of childcare hasn’t worked . . . the cost of childcare provision just goes up.”
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