Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. Joblessness is certainly an issue and, unfortunately, it is often a consequence of divorce and separation. One of the partners - it is usually the woman with children, especially if she has worked in the home - may find it difficult to cope financially. The problem is that the cycle must be broken. As the Minister correctly stated, children of jobless people or those in poverty are more likely to end up in poverty and jobless. The issue must be tackled.

The reports indicate that even where there are no financial issues for children and they are not affected by poverty, there is a mental scar nonetheless. I know about the constitutional right to divorce and the Minister correctly indicated that if there is a large conflict between the married parties, keeping them together would not be a panacea for themselves or the children. That is a reality. Where young children are involved, it particularly behoves us to try to encourage couples to go for counselling and repair the relationship that may have broken down. We should assist them as long-term consequences for children come into play if they break up.I have always held the view that once a person marries, he or she has a responsibility, in particular, to his or her children and partner. People should strive to fulfil that particular obligation for as long as possible.

On counselling, it is important that services are improved and increased. We should try to maintain Ireland's position in being well below international levels of marriage breakdown and seek to be a leader in this regard. From a purely fiscal point of view, the cost to the State and the taxpayer of marriage breakdown is astronomical, be it in social housing provision, providing social welfare benefits or dealing with consequent behavioural problems that may arise as a result of marriage breakdown or divorce and children not having a father or a mother involved in their upbringing. I encourage the Minister and her successor to do everything they can to ensure best practice in this regard is followed in this country.