Lone parents to receive social welfare boost

LONE-parent families are set to benefit from new social welfare measures which come into effect this week.

The most significant change will see an increase of €82 in the amount a lone parent can earn before benefits are lost.

The move, first announced in last December’s budget, is part of a wider Government strategy of encouraging lone parents and other welfare dependents to enter the workforce as a means to alleviating long-term poverty.