New system to replace lone parent allowance

THE lone parent allowance is to be scrapped in favour of a less discriminatory payment for low-income families.

Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan has frequently come out against the payment which effectively makes it illegal for mothers in receipt of benefit to cohabit.

After months of criticising the Government’s policy of attempting to police the living arrangements of the country’s 80,000 single mothers, a Government report to be published today backs up the minister’s view.