Labour TD Joanna Tuffy has suffered a backlash on social media after she appeared to suggest that single parents struggling with childcare costs should bring their children to work with them.

The Dublin TD was defending a cut to the Lone Parents Allowance which came into effect last week.

Single parent groups say 30,000 families who are already in part time employment will lose anything from €10 to €140 under the changes.

In a tweet Deputy Tuffy pointed out that her 10-year-old is at work with her in Leinster House and she suggested the option could be available to other parents.

However she's been labeled as out of touch on social media.