Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to speak on this important motion and I salute Deputy Brady for moving it. However, I am surprised. Cá bhfuil Páirtí an Lucht Oibre? Tá sé imithe. It is supposed to be the party of the working people and ordinary people, but it is missing more time in the Chamber. This beggars belief. That has a knock-on effect on us because we are watching what time we are due to be on and could easily miss it if people are not interested. Are the famous heroes of People Before Profit not interested in this issue either? It beggars belief.

The motion reads as an excellent proposal. Anything that moves the struggle for maintenance out of the courts system and into a more relaxed and constructive mediation environment is a good idea and should have been done long ago. The motion reads: "fund research into examining best international practice when it comes to determining, collecting, transferring and pursuing child maintenance payments". It is not rocket science, only very positive. It also reads:

— engage and include all stakeholders in this funded project from point of design and establishing terms of reference, to implementation; and

— establish, based on that research, a statutory child maintenance service with sufficient enforcement powers and links to Revenue.

These are vital components, given that there have been scams in which people have got away with evasion. I am not referring to ordinary people. Often, this is being done by clever white-collar people. I see no reason for each of these proposals and requests not to be acted upon. If problems emerge, the research will reflect them and suggest strengths and weaknesses. This is important.

The current arrangements are not working. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle, na Teachtaí from Fianna Fáil, an tAire Stáit and everyone else knows it. What people are getting away with is a joke. It is not a joke for the people who are suffering because they are not getting payments. Every Deputy will have dealt with cases where people, usually but not always mothers, have struggled to get their agreed maintenance payments. This can lead to lasting adverse effects and drive young children into poverty. If a parent is due maintenance and is in receipt of a social welfare payment, he or she will be assessed as having a certain level of income even if the maintenance is not received. This means that a single parent loses out on the double. That situation should be rectified.

We need to research what is best practice. We need alternatives. That is why I will support the motion, and I hope the Government will accept and act on it.

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