Mallorca: 37 families get €21,825 Cheque Canguro aid

Thirty-seven families in the Balearic Islands have shared €21,825 this year to hire household staff. Catalina Cabrer, the Balearic employment minister, presented the figures at Parliament in Palma on Thursday, 10 September. The first Cheque Canguro scheme, launched in January, offers support towards employing household workers.

Most of the first budget remains unused

The first round had a budget of €320,000, but received only 37 applications. Two families were excluded because of their income, while 28 others did not meet the conditions.

Cabrer accepted that take-up was low. She said the scheme can help families balance work and home life while improving conditions in a largely female sector that often operates outside the social security system.

Second round draws 1,385 applications

The second Cheque Canguro round has three separate support lines and has so far attracted 1,385 applications. About 400 seek help with camps and summer schools, with grants of up to €1,000 per child.

Parliament also heard that just €800,000 of the €3.4 million Plan Corresponsables budget has been spent. Families minister Sandra Fernández said the grants must follow Spanish Government rules. Four new staff are working on final decisions for the call, which are expected next week.

Topics: Social affairs · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com