There are fears some recipients of the carers’ allowance will face cuts due to the Government tightening their belt.

Chief executive of the Carers Association, Enda Egan said: ‘It is critical the National Carers Strategy stays firmly on the Government’s agenda to allow the continuation of care in the home, now seriously under threat due to a lack of vital resources. Delaying the National Carers Strategy any longer is a major blow to family carers who save the State over €2.5bn each year.’

He told an Oireachtas committee that, based on assurances from Government, it was anticipated that the National Carers Strategy, already a year overdue, would be published by Christmas. Carers urgently need this strategy published to formally recognise their contribution as well as address financial and support services issues.

Eilish O’Regan Health Correspondent said: ‘Failure to implement the strategy will result in a lost opportunity to address the needs of carers and protect their rights. Any reduction in funding will impact efforts to address the shortfall experienced by family carers, an already marginalised and isolated group.’