Social groups slam Budget cuts

Social groups are slamming the measures contained in Budget 2011.

The Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed said the cut in social welfare payments is devastating.

While Barnardos says there will be despair in many Irish households tonight, as a result of the cuts in child benefit.

Protestors gathered in Dublin from early afternoon to highlight their opposition to the toughest Budget in living memory.

The anger was palpable outside of Leinster House all day - and even more so once Finance Minister Brian Lenihan had finished delivering the bad news.

Brid O' Brien from the National Organisation of the Unemployed said the cut in social welfare is devastating:

"Basically it means that over the past two Budgets people have seen a cut in their income of around €16," Ms O'Brien said.

"That's going to be quite difficult for people to manage."

While the Construction Industry Federation is welcoming the stamp duty changes, it says the €1.8bn cut in capital expenditure will cost thousands of jobs.