John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a crossover between the Departments of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and Justice and Equality. The Minister said earlier that she will meet officials in the Department of Justice and Equality this month, which I welcome.

The Minister stated that she carried out a review. It would be helpful if details of that review could be circulated to Members.

The Minister will be aware of the current set-up regarding child maintenance. Predominantly, it is the mother who is affected. If she does not receive a payment, by and large she has to go to the District Court to chase it up. Yesterday, I spoke to a mother who told me it had cost her €9,000 in legal fees to try to get child maintenance payments. Does the Minister agree it is wrong that they should have to go to court? There are so many difficulties there. People are afraid and feel intimidated going into a court setting. That needs to be eliminated.

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