Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the situation where the custodial parent has to prove that he or she has sought the maintenance that is not being paid. That is an unacceptable situation when there may have been domestic violence or any form of domestic abuse. To put anybody in a situation where they need to be in contact and seeking financial support from their abuser is simply not on. From the Department's perspective, what is the threshold? Is it one week or six weeks of non-payment before the Department will consider reinstating the full payment?