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.

CARERS marched backwards to the Dáil yesterday to demonstrate how they feel they are being treated by the Government.

PENSION increases in the budget are not enough to insulate many older people from rising food and fuel prices, Age Action has warned.

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.

IT was the largest ever welfare Budget package with substantial increases in allowances, pensions and entitlements, plus a range of social policy measures.

EMPLOYMENT legislation and State supports have failed carers looking for full or part-time work, a report found yesterday.