Budget push for lone parent support; Report raises concerns over impact of welfare cuts on families

A report commissioned by Government and due this week is set to raise serious concerns over the damage caused by recession-era cuts to lone parent families, putting the Coalition under pressure to address the issue in next week’s budget, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

The report by Indecon Economic Consultants, which will be given to Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty in the coming days, was drawn up to examine the impact of austerity measures on hard-pressed households.