Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

I have often raised this issue, which is open to abuse. Although the amendment warrants serious redrafting, the issue of significant maintenance payments being made under the table and not declared remains. A good way to address this would be to attach the earnings of the non-custodial parent to the claim or have the Courts Service notify the Department of maintenance orders. That would place a significant administrative burden on the service. Generally, in these cases, the male of the species tends not to want to have anything with the raising of his children-----