Recession-hit one-parent families are turning to "legal and illegal" money lenders to survive; live with the fear of going hungry at some stage every week — and are barely able to pay heating bills, or afford children’s clothes.

More than €2bn should be earmarked in the next budget to fight the crisis of child poverty, it was claimed today.

Dual star Alan Kerrins has been dropped from the Galway team to face Meath in the All-Ireland football final next Sunday.