Calls for research into lone parenthood poverty risk

RESEARCH into lone parenthood must be undertaken amid evidence single parent families are at greater risk of poverty, a senior minister said yesterday.

Social Affairs Minister Séamus Brennan said more research must be carried out to inform debates and decisions in order to ensure an adequate response to Ireland’s rapidly changing and evolving social landscape.

“I also agree completely that we need to commission quality research into the issue of lone parenthood. This is particularly relevant in the light of the number of lone parents in receipt of the One Parent Family Payment, which currently stands at over 80,000. Again, statistics have shown that families headed by lone parents are at a greater risk of poverty,” Mr Brennan said.