James Bannon (Fine Gael)

This is a special situation. Their father lives in the UK, and it is important that children of eight and 13 keep in contact with him. Whatever he pays goes towards air fares for them to travel to and from the UK during every school break and the costs of staying there. They must pay to stay in a small hotel, since he is in a new relationship and has a very small apartment in London that cannot provide shelter for them when they are there. The allowance that they receive from him is minimal, being less than €50 per week. It is very hard for grandparents to rear two young children on their pensions. Perhaps the Minister of State might re-examine the situation or ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, to do so. Perhaps an extraordinary payment might be arranged for people who find themselves in this situation.