The Tánaiste is meeting lone parent groups today, as pressure mounts on the Government to delay welfare reforms.

Around 30,000 lone parents will be affected by the reforms, which will require those on welfare to seek employment or training as soon as their youngest child reaches the age of seven.

The Government says it is aimed at helping to move those families out of welfare dependency.

But lone parent groups say it will penalise thousands of single parents who work part-time and could force many to give up work.