Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On the concern regarding maintenance payments, I accept that Senator Ruane's proposed amendment No. 25 falls short technically. I ask that we engage to find some way of moving forward before Report Stage. The current maintenance system is flawed. The need for a maintenance body and to have maintenance payments reflected in income assessment has been raised by Senator Ruane and me, as well as by the Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Minister. I hope we will be able to engage and find an appropriate action, mechanism or amendment that can satisfy the requirements of the Cathaoirleach.

I also mention amendment No. 26, which would also give rise to a charge. I urge the Minister to act because she does have the capacity to propose amendments which give rise to a charge. Her predecessor, An Taoiseach, took on board certain of my proposals on voluntary payments. These would affect people in self-employment-----