Hanafin: No cuts to lone parent allowance

The Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin has said there will be no cuts to the lone parent allowance in the foreseeable future.

Ms Hanafin said the Government wants to examine the payment from a 'social policy' point of view.

She said: "Continuing to pay somebody until their child is 22 mitigates against a lone parent having a stable relationship, marrying or finding a full-time job."

Ms Hanafin denied the move is just another means to achieve spending cuts in her department.