Unlike most pensioners, Mr Douglas Carson's (82) primary concern before yesterday's Budget was not a rise in the State old age pension.

Instead, he believes the lack of funding from the Government to supplement nursing home care, which costs up to 1,200 per week, is the single biggest crisis facing the aged.

He took little comfort from yesterday's events.

The Minister for Finance did not introduce any new allowances in respect of nursing home care. And the slight rise in the State old age pension of 10 would do little to change the lives of older people, he said.

The State pension is now up to 173, well short of the 200 per week Mr Carson believes would bring a more comfortable standard of living to older people.

He also believes Mr McCreevy should have moved to overhaul the extra €205 per annum tax credit afforded to pensioners. However, the Minister made no such move.

"The tax credit hasn't been changed in around seven years.

"I think if they wanted to do something to really improve things for the aged they could have very easily made a start on the tax credit.

"There was also nothing done to reduce VAT for older people on essential things like electricity and even food.

"I felt he could have done something on that specifically for pensioners".