The Finance Minister says he will consider proposals for a so-called 'Granny Grant' in the Budget - but stressed that 'big questions' remain.
The Independent Alliance submitted the idea for a childcare payment for grandparents in its pre-Budget plan yesterday.
The self-assessed payment would be available to all grandparents who help out with childcare for more than ten hours a week.
If introduced, the 'Grandparent and Grandchild Reimbursement Scheme' could see an annual payment of €1,000 for eligible grandparents.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said this idea has been floated before.
He explained: "The Independent Alliance shared this idea with me yesterday - they've done so in other budgets.
"It's fair to say there's really big questions in relation to that proposal that would need to be answered. But first and foremost I have to work with [Children's] Minister Zappone in relation to childcare policy."
He also suggested the plan would need to consider other family members and friends who also help out with childcare.
Minister Donohoe observed: "I think they would be asking me in particular the question 'what about them?'"
