Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The report is done. The Minister has had since April to consider it. I believe that she will move on it. I welcome that. However, it would be good if we all, especially the organisations involved, could see the report because up until now - and certainly up until the group was established in 2020 - there has not been that sense of urgency around child maintenance and the establishment of a child maintenance service can only be positive. When maintenance is paid, all evidence shows that it can play a role in lifting children in lone-parent families out of poverty. That, in itself, should be enough to move swiftly in respect of this matter. The latter is something that SPARK and One Family are seeking. I mention One Family because it is celebrating 50 years in existence today. I commend One Family and SPARK on the work they do. However, like me, they are anxious to see this report. Now that the report is complete and the good work has been done, it can only be of benefit that report be published sooner rather than later.

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