The Tánaiste has been accused of turning children under seven into 'latchkey kids'.

The claims come as around 39,000 families prepare to lose a special social welfare payment in July.

The One-Parent Family Payment is being abolished for families whose oldest child reaches the age of seven.

Socialist TD Ruth Coppinger says the move means single parents won't be able to afford childcare.

“I’m sure a lot of women would like to go out to work, be it part-time or full-time, but when you’re a one parent it’s even more difficult,” Ms Coppinger said.

“You’re turning seven year olds into latchkey kids and parents are meant to be able to find somewhere from half one, when a seven-year-old gets off school, to six o’clock? They’d want to be earning a whopping amount like yourself Minister to do that,” she said.