A campaign group on issues affecting older people has announced it will close at the end of June when its grant funding runs out.

Dear Enda Kenny, Eamon Gilmore, Michael Noonan, and all TDs of who are voting in favour of cutting the carers’ respite pay.

More than 200 families will make a last ditch attempt to stop politicians from voting in favour of a planned 19% cut to the respite carers’ allowance during a Dáil protest today.

One of the country’s biggest unions mounted pressure on the Government to abandon budget cuts that will hit the vulnerable.

It was a rollercoaster budget for children, with some highs and many crashing lows, according to the Children’s Rights Alliance.

The Government’s policy of austerity is increasing the risk of causing severe damage to Ireland’s social fabric, according to a group of charities representing people with disabilities and their carers.

A homecare provider has announced it is to create 510 jobs across the country over the next six months.

Less than one in eight people looking after older people in the community are paid for the work they do, it has emerged.

“You don’t volunteer for this kind of job — you do it when you have to,” said octogenarian Peter Riordan, Ireland’s National Carer of the Year.

Three mothers of autistic children whose domiciliary care allowances and carers’ allowances have been cut yesterday brought their grievances to Leinster House.

PLANS on implementing a single social welfare payment will be presented to the troika by the end of March.

ORGANISATIONS representing older people have said age should not be a factor in considering a candidate’s suitability for the presidency.

SHE has already lost two of her children to a rare and devastating disease but brave mother Anne McGrath is now devoting her energy to looking after her 10-year-old daughter who is battling the same condition.

SOME of the country’s largest firms continued to show their charitable side this Christmas, despite the economic downturn.

SINGLE mother Alison McKim was disappointed that just five TDs turned up at her door to see how she copes with her blind teenage son who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and asthma.

The Carers’ Association invited ministers, Dáil deputies and senators on the new “Care Bus” to visit the home of family carer Alison McKim, a single mother who provides full-time care for her son Zack in Terenure. Seventeen-year-old Zack has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, asthma and is blind.

A SERIES of “cost-neutral” policies should be introduced to help plug the gaps left by the scrapping of the national carers’ strategy, a leading support group has claimed.

Plans to cut the already inadequate carers’ allowance show society’s most vulnerable will bear the brunt of the slash and save policy, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

THERE will be a massive public outcry if the Government cuts allowances for carers, an Oireachtas committee has been warned.

SHE may have just been presented with a national award thanks to her selfless devotion to her little sister, but an appearance on TV’s The Den was of more concern to Mary Condon-O’Connor yesterday afternoon.

AN elderly couple caring for their 44-year-old quadriplegic daughter have pleaded for a long-term care plan to be put in place for her.

CHILDREN are caring for parents throughout their schooldays only to underachieve academically and get bullied as a result.

MORE than 150,000 carers will be immediately better off under Fine Gael plans for increased financial support, party leader Enda Kenny claimed yesterday.

THOUSANDS of carers struggle to cope over the festive season as a vast number of services and special needs schools shut down, it was warned today.

CAMPAIGN groups and charities who protest against Government policies have accused the State of intimidation after they were told they would have to reveal details of donations they receive.

The Carers' Association launched its first every national strategy document in Dublin today, to encourage the Government to formally recognise the role of family carers in Ireland.

SOCIAL and Community Affairs Minister Séamus Brennan has promised family carers a package of benefits in next month’s budget.

PAYMENTS to carers could be increased after the Government vowed to review their status following a scathing report which found most people struggle to juggle their caring responsibilities with work.