Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is a shame to hear. I am disappointed to hear it, to tell the truth. I know of several families that are getting family support from Tusla. The children are still with them and the agency is supporting those families and trying to keep them together. Tusla is supporting those families financially to ensure the children do not go without.

Turning to the issue of maintenance, as a peace commissioner, women often come to me to sign the court orders seeking that fathers be brought back into court because they are not paying the maintenance. We must deal with this issue and, as was said, have some sort of a system where the maintenance support payments could be taken out directly, whether by Revenue or by whatever means. Ultimately, this issue is all about the children and that is what it must be about. It is not about scoring any goals against ex-partners or whatever. It is about the children and ensuring they are cared for. I thank the representatives of SPARK for all the work they and their organisation do with struggling lone parents and children. Many children are struggling now. I also refer to the work done by SPARK on domestic violence and with the women going through those exceptionally difficult times. I thank the witnesses for their contributions today.