Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

That fathers should and would support their children is an important point. The Minister might provide figures outlining how many fathers support their children. There is a sense of irresponsibility among some men who father children and simply turn their backs on the mothers. It is a serious problem for many mothers and impacts on their children. The financial aspect is not the only important aspect. It is also a factor that the father is not involved in the life of the child and that the positive influence a father could have is lost.

The amendment considers the issue of maintenance recovery. I raised this issue in the House last December and I again ask the Minister what efforts his Department will take to try to ensure that fathers make these payments. What success is the Department having in recovering some of the money owed? What percentage of mothers name the fathers of their children? It must create a difficulty if no father is listed on the birth certificate.

This is an issue we need to take more seriously. We need to let men know that if they father a child, that child is for life and they have a financial and social responsibility towards him or her. It is a matter of concern — this is more prevalent in built-up areas, particularly disadvantaged areas — that men father children with a number of different women. This creates a problem, which is probably a matter for the Department of Health and Children rather than the Department of Social and Family Affairs, whereby children will grow up not knowing they are half brother or half sister to a child living in the same block or on the same street. It is an issue which needs to be addressed. I am interested to hear the Minister's response.