Minister for Transport Shane Ross has said he is going to continue to push for the Independent Alliance's proposed childcare grant for grandparents.
He described the so-called 'granny grant' as a "novel" idea and said he has not seen any "push-back" against it.
A payment of €1,000 would be available to grandparents who self-certify that they provide a minimum of ten hours per week of childcare.
Mr Ross said proposals for the grant are being costed by the Department of Finance and these "can be adapted".
He said the Independent Alliance had not fully costed the idea because it wanted to "thrash it out" with the department and that it needed to be costed in line with other childcare subsidies.
Minister Ross said he believed such a payment would be "very welcome" and would recognise the role grandparents play in caring for their children's children.
