Defending the Social Welfare Bill, the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said she had fought to protect the most vulnerable and to maintain core rates of social welfare.

However, opposition TDs railed on the government's cut to the Respite Care Grant.

Fianna Fail's Willie O' Dea called it "cruel, callous and beyonds the bounds of decency".

While Independent TD, Finian McGrath said carers should not be hit - because they are already saving the State millions of euro: