5,184 single parents are currently in receipt of social benefits, Social Policy Minister Michael Farrugia told Clyde Puli (PN) in reply to a parliamentary question. The total bill is €59,663,421 including social assistance, social assistance for single parents, unemployment benefit and medical assistance, but excludes children's allowance.  

The Nationalist MP asked how many single mothers received social benefits last year and by how much their number had been reduced as a result of the Budget measures.

Dr Farrugia said 5,555 single parents had been receiving benefits at the end of last year.