The Government is being warned that any further cuts to financial supports for carers will force many people currently being cared for at home into nursing homes.

As people settle in to the Christmas holidays, the Carers' Association is urging the public to spare a thought for its members.

The Carers' Association, the national representative organisation for Ireland’s 161,000 family carers, has expressed disappointment at the Government's failure to deliver meaningful assistance to Ireland’s family carers in the Budget.

The Government is being urged to develop a national strategy to cater for the needs of carers.

Carers have been slamming the budget, saying there is little in Minister McCreevy's speech to back up the plans unveiled in the health plan last week.