Struggling single parents face €1,000 reduction in payments

Struggling single parents will see their income slashed by €1,000 a year as financial supports are axed in the coming days.

Support groups for lone parents warned of consequences for single mothers and fathers yesterday as the Department ofSocial Protection opened a helpline to address concerns about cuts.

Letters to thousands of one-parent families in recent days outlined how qualified child increases (QCIs) — amounting to €29.80 per child per week — would be cut from community employment schemes.