A range of new Social Welfare measures to assist Lone Parent families come into effect this week.
Some 80,000 lone parents and around 130,000 children are set to benefit.
One of the principal changes is an increase of €82 per week in allowable earnings before the loss of benefits and supports.
Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan
It is estimated that although 60 per cent of recipients are in full or part-time employment, others are being deterred because they fear losing benefits.
Experts say lower income thresholds can lead to welfare dependency and contribute to social exclusion.
"I want to give lone parents an opportunity to continue to increase their earnings without raising their fears about losing their entitlement to payment, which I know from speaking to many lone parents, represents their financial security," Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan said.
The weekly earnings threshold has now risen to €375 and will lead to some 3,000 more parents now becoming eligible for assistance.
Latest figures suggest 30 per cent of lone-parent families live in consistent poverty - compared to 7 per cent for the rest of the population.
"Despite the unprecedented growth of the Irish economy over the last decade, and record spending on social welfare entitlements and supports, the reality is that lone parents remain one of the groups who are particularly vulnerable to poverty," Mr Brennan said.
There were other contributing factors such as cohabitation rules and access to education and training, which would be addressed through legislation, he added.