Parents of children with special needs plan Dublin and Cork protest marches

Parents of children with special needs are taking to the streets of Dublin and Cork today to highlight cuts to allowances.

The parents also wish to draw attention to what they say are flaws in the current application and review process for such payments.

Campaigners in Dublin will march to the Dáil, where they will present TDs with a letter addressing the issues.

Catherine Cox from the Carers Association said the group wants to reverse the cuts to domiciliary care payments, and are looking for a meeting with (Minister for Social Protection) Joan Burton to discuss the issues.

"They want the entire application and review system for domiciliary care allowance to be reviewed and overhauled because it is flawed," she said.

The Dublin march will begin at St Stephen's Green Park entrance at 11.30am, while the Cork protest will be at 3pm outside City hall in the city centre.