The much hated changes to the One Parent Family Payment will be effective from today.
Among other changes, they will signify that single parents who are receiving social welfare will have to look for a job or undertake training courses when their youngest child turns seven.
Gerry Adams said in the Dáil last night that these changes “will force thousands of lone parents and children further into poverty.’
According to Mr. Adams, many families in his constituency and elsewhere will face weekly cuts of up to 86.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social protection has stated that lone parents whose part-time working hours are increased to 19 will actually be “better off.”
A motion tabled by Sinn Fein calling for the changes to be reversed was defeated 79-36 in the Dáil last night.