State to limit welfare for lone parents

THE Government wants to place limits on social welfare payments to lone parents who don’t seek work.

It proposes a gradual reduction of payments from the time children begin school, when parents would have more time to work, train or return to education.

Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan yesterday stressed the goal was not to save the State money. Instead, it was to encourage lone parents to move towards financial independence and secure a better future for their children.