The Minister for Social Protection is defending changes to lone parent payments.

Fianna Fáil is criticising the Government for reducing the payment to single parents with children over the age of seven.

From the 2nd of July single parents who are working and have a child over the age of seven will see a reduction in the amount of hours they are allowed to work before receiving the payment.

But Minister Joan Burton says she and her department are working on ways to encourage lone parents back to training or employment:

The Tánaiste also says she's been receiving positive feedback on the changes:

Fianna Fáil says it's ironic the Minister for Social Protection is trying to incentivise people back to work by rewarding them with less.

Limerick TD Willie O'Dea says it's an unfair hit on some of the most vulnerable families: