A High Court ruling that the Department of Social Protection must reconsider its assessment of a separated father of four as a single man could have implications for parents in similar situations.
The man was seeking rent allowance for a home that could accommodate his children - but the department rejected his application, saying the children's mother was their primary carer.
However, the court ruled that the decision-making process by the department when assessing his application was flawed.
Judge Marie Baker found that there was no regard to the complexity of his family relationships.
The CEO of One Family, Karen Kiernan, says it is good news for lone parents.
High Court reporter for the Irish Times, Mary Carolan, was in court for the hearing yesterday. She says the joint custody played a significant role in the ruling.
