The publication of a new information booklet for lone parents has been welcomed by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Mary Coughlan.
The updated One Parent Families Information Guide, compiled by a number of agencies working with lone parents, was officially unveiled by the Minister in Dublin this afternoon.
Ms Coughlan said the booklet was recognised as a primary source of information for lone parents, information providers, employers, teachers, health professionals and community groups.
"Parenting can be very demanding for all parents, even more so for people raising a family on their own," she said.
"With this in mind I have initiated a series of pilot programmes in local social welfare offices providing support for lone parents with educational and work opportunities and with their social welfare and housing entitlements.
"Family patterns are changing in our society - indeed these changes can be seen in our extended families and communities, and in national demographic statistics. The Family Support agency . . . will bring together a number of family programmes to address the needs of families in this changing environment".
The booklet was compiled by the Department of Social and Family Affairs; Cherish, a voluntary support group for single parents; Comhairle, the national support agency for information on social services; Gingerbread Ireland, a lone parents support group; the AIM voluntary counselling service; and Treoir, the national federation of agencies that provides support for unmarried parents and their children.
It is available free of charge from these organisations and from Citizens' Information Centres.