Nearly half of lone parents in Dublin struggle financially

New figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal that nearly half of lone parents with children under 18 are struggling financially. About one-third of these parents went into debt last year to cover daily expenses. Connolly, a lone parent from Dublin, lost her job in 2020 and now relies on social welfare. She is studying social care while managing her children's needs, including autism. Financial pressures are constant, and she often has to say no to her children's requests. While some support measures, like school meals, have helped, Connolly still faces challenges, including unexpected expenses. She hopes to return to work after completing her degree but is uncertain due to childcare issues.