I propose an amendment to the Order of Business of the Seanad today, that No. 12, the Child Maintenance Bill 2026, be taken before No. 1. The Child Maintenance Bill has taken many years of work since I was elected to the House. I acknowledge the significant contribution of the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers in developing its provisions. A majority of female Senators have signed up to the legislation. While it is disappointing that Government Members have not formally joined at this stage, I remain hopeful it can still be a shared reform across the Oireachtas, as it has been discussed and supported for a number of years by all in the House with full women's caucus support.

The purpose of the Bill is straightforward but deeply important. It seeks to establish a fair, consistent and less adversarial system for assessing child maintenance. Under the proposal, the Revenue Commissioners would conduct administrative child maintenance assessments, using standard formulae prescribed by the Minister for justice, and issue orders for payments before parties would proceed to court. The Bill does not remove the courts' role; rather, it complements it. Where both parties accept the Revenue assessment, it becomes a binding agreement like a court order. Where either party rejects the assessment, the matter proceeds to court as happens today. In this way we maintain judicial oversight while creating a more accessible and efficient pathway for families.

The need for reform is clear. Raising a child requires continuous financial support, and often one parent or carer bears the majority of this responsibility in care and finance. Child maintenance payments are essential to protecting the child's best interests but the current system is complex, lengthy and adversarial. The census in 2022 showed that 17% of family households were headed by lone parents, the majority of whom were women. These families are disproportionately affected by poverty, deprivation and housing insecurity. In June 2025 more than half of the families in emergency accommodation were found to be headed by one parent. This highlights the importance of child maintenance not only as a family law issue but as a measure to counter child poverty.

The Bill also reflects recommendations made over many years, including by the child maintenance review group in 2022 and subsequent policy reviews. It also draws on successful international models, particularly that in New Zealand where child maintenance is assessed administratively by the equivalent of the Revenue Commissioners. This approach has reduced conflict, improved reliability of payments and created better support for children and families. The Child Maintenance Bill 2026 takes inspiration from this approach. By allowing Revenue to assess maintenance using reliable income data, and by creating a standardised transparent process, we can ensure that child maintenance is fair, consistent and focused on the child's needs. This legislation represents a practical and necessary reform and it will reduce conflict between parents, ease pressure on the courts and, most importantly, improve outcomes for children.