Changes to lone-parent welfare entitlements were aimed at reducing long-term social welfare dependency, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said.

He said it was to end the expectation they would remain outside the workforce indefinitely.

“These reforms aim to provide the necessary supports to lone parents to help them access a range of education, training and employment programmes, develop a skill-set and, ultimately, secure employment and financial independence.’’

He was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said the Government's policy on the issue was "an insult which reflects a mindset and policy orientation that are as Thatcherite as one could get''.

He said that from July 2nd lone parents working more than 19 hours a week would lose the one-parent family payment when their youngest child turned seven years of age. “Up to 32,000 families will be affected by this measure and, in many cases, their incomes will be slashed by up to €80 per week.’’

Mr Martin said this was "a cruel and brutal cut'', adding that Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton had been persistent and consistent in reducing the age threshold for the payment.

It had already been reduced from 14 years to 12 in 2012, and to 10 years in 2013.

“When one takes into consideration that the deprivation rate among lone parents is 230 per cent higher than it is among the general population, and 33 per cent higher than it is among those who are unemployed, this measure amounts to a serious attack on their quality of life.’’

Insulting

He insisted it was insulting to argue the measure would move people into employment because the proposed cut came on top of many other cuts introduced in successive budgets.

Mr Kenny said he did not accept Mr Martin's view, adding the extent of jobless households was the reason many people were in great difficulties.

“These households, particularly those where there are children, are at particular risk of joblessness being perpetuated from one generation to the next.’’

Mr Kenny said all of the incentives introduced for lone parents were aimed at overcoming the expectation they would never be able to return to work on a full-time basis or have an opportunity to retrain, upskill or secure financial independence.

Mr Martin claimed the Taoiseach did not realise what the Government and Minister were doing. “It is a scandal.”