New welfare measures for one-parent families will face an Oireachtas challenge this week.
Senator Katherine Zappone wants the Government to allay her fears that up to 40,000 families will be financially worse off if the proposals are introduced.
The plans include measures to switch people from One Parent Family Payment to other welfare supports, which Ms Zappone believes are more restrictive.
Senator Zappone said that the new payments would reduce income for families.
She said it would make it harder for parents to find work or return to education and training.
