Tanaiste Joan Burton has been defending the changes to the lone parent allowance which came into effect yesterday.

The changes will require single parents in receipt of social welfare, whose youngest child is aged 14 years or over - to apply for the normal Jobseeker’s Allowance.

She says the current system is "defining a woman who has children entirely by her relationships" and that "ultimately we should treat everyone in the social welfare system as an individual."

Ms Burton said lone parents will not have to seek employment until the youngest child is 14 - and between 7 and 14 years is considered a transition period in which "education, training and experience" will be provided.