The Government's decision to scrap the National Carers' Strategy is set to dominate the agenda as the 500 carers from around the country gather in Killarney this weekend.

THERESA HULME earns just slightly more than someone on the dole after giving up her job as a clinical psychiatric nurse manager to look after her intellectually disabled older sister.

HAVING a teenager with all the demands of a toddler is how Rosemary Kratschmar describes caring for her 14-year-old son Sammy, who has Down syndrome.

THE need for greater recognition of the family carer will be highlighted at a major conference, in Tralee, Co Kerry this weekend.