Single parenthood in Ireland: by the numbers
There are currently 80,000 people on single parent allowances in Ireland. They receive €1.35 billion a year in financial support, including 770 million in the lone parent payment, 220 million in child benefit, 110 million in rent supplements and 94 million for taking part in community employment schemes.
Just under 50 per cent of single parent families were at risk of poverty, compared with just over 10 per cent for two-parent families. One-third of single parent families were in consistent poverty, compared with less than 5 per cent of two-parent families.
Between 1991 and 2002, lone parent families rose from 10.7 per cent of all families to 16.7 per cent.
One in three births in Ireland now outside marriage and 70 per cent of these result in an application for single parent payments from social welfare.
Contrary to public perception, teenage mothers account for just 2.2 per cent of single parents on social welfare allowances - down from 4.4 per cent in 1997.
Of single parents under the age of 35, one in 10 left education after primary school, while 37 per cent left after their inter or junior certificate.