Brian O'Shea
Ceist:29 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to make it mandatory for all fathers to support their children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10036/98]
Written Answers. - Child Support.
The general issue of fathers supporting their children is a family law matter and as such is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Social welfare legislation places an obligation on all parents to maintain their children, and on spouses to maintain each other.
Research has shown that only about 12 per cent of family law court maintenance orders are honoured regularly. Where maintenance payments are irregular, or where efforts to secure maintenance fail, the social welfare system guarantees the lone parent, through the one parent family payment, a regular weekly income. The Department in turn can seek recovery of maintenance payments from the absent parent through the relevant provisions of the Social Welfare Act.
The philosophy underlying the liable relative provisions is that if lone parents require support through a social welfare payment because of inadequate or no maintenance, the State is entitled to recover an appropriate amount from relatives who are liable.