Grandparents will not be getting State support according to Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone.

She has said that she will not consider a so-called 'granny grant' proposal to help the estimated 70,000 grandparents across the country who care for grandchildren - nor the other relatives who look after children in their family.

It’s as up to 19,000 childminders will be regulated by Government for the first time under plans by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone.

Louise Bayliss is a mother and spokesperson for SPARK.  She joined Ivan to give her reaction, and joining her was Hugh O’Connell, Political Correspondent with the Irish Independent.