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Number 11 of 1976
FAMILY LAW (MAINTENANCE OF SPOUSES AND CHILDREN) ACT, 1976
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Maintenance of Spouses and Dependent Children
Attachment of Earnings
Power to determine whether particular payments are earnings. | |
Discharge, variation and lapse of attachment of earnings order. | |
Miscellaneous
Amendment of Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, and Courts Act, 1971. | |
Acts Referred to | |
1930, No. 17 | |
1964, No. 7 | |
1974, No. 16 | |
1940, No. 23 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
1946, No. 9 | |
1930, No. 29 | |
1931, No. 8 | |
1957, No. 6 | |
1924, No. 10 | |
1971, No. 36 | |
1952, No. 25 | |
Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886 | 1886, c. 52 |
1954, No. 18 | |
Number 11 of 1976
FAMILY LAW (MAINTENANCE OF SPOUSES AND CHILDREN) ACT, 1976
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976.
Commencement.
2.—This Act shall come into operation on the day that is one month after the date of its passing.
Interpretation.
3.—(1) In this Act, save where the context otherwise requires—
“antecedent order” means—
(a) a maintenance order,
(b) a variation order,
(c) an interim order,
(d) an order under section 8 of this Act (in so far as it is deemed under that section to be a maintenance order),
(e) an order deemed under section 30 of this Act to be a maintenance order,
(f) an order providing for a periodical payment under the Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930,
(g) an order for maintenance under section 11 (2) (b) of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964,
(h) an enforceable maintenance order under the Maintenance Orders Act, 1974,
(i) an order for payment of alimony pending suit or permanent alimony;
“attachment of earnings order” means an order under section 10 of this Act;
“Court” shall be construed in accordance with section 23 of this Act;
“dependent child of the family”, in relation to a spouse or spouses, means any child—
(a) of both spouses, or adopted by both spouses under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1974, or in relation to whom both spouses are in loco parentis, or
(b) of either spouse, or adopted by either spouse under the Adoption Acts, 1952 to 1974, or in relation to whom either spouse is in loco parentis, where the other spouse, being aware that he is not the parent of the child, has treated the child as a member of the family,
who is under the age of sixteen years, or, if he has attained that age—
(i) is or will be or, if an order were made under this Act providing for periodical payments for his support, would be receiving full-time education or instruction at any university, college, school or other educational establishment and is under the age of twenty-one years, or
(ii) is suffering from mental or physical disability to such extent that it is not reasonably possible for him to maintain himself fully;
“desertion” includes conduct on the part of one spouse that results in the other spouse, with just cause, leaving and living separately and apart from him, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“earnings” means any sums payable to a person—
(a) by way of wages or salary (including any fees, bonus, commission, overtime pay or other emoluments payable in addition to wages or salary or payable under a contract of service);
(b) by way of pension or other like benefit in respect of employment (including an annuity in respect of past services, whether or not rendered to the person paying the annuity, and including periodical payments by way of compensation for the loss, abolition or relinquishment, or diminution in the emoluments, of any office or employment);
“interim order” means an order under section 7 of this Act;
“maintenance creditor”, in relation to an order under this Act (other than an order under section 22 of this Act), or to proceedings arising out of such an order, means a person on whose application there has been made such an order;
“maintenance debtor”, in relation to an attachment of earnings order, or to proceedings in which a Court has power to make such an order, or to proceedings arising out of such an order, means the spouse by whom payments are required by the relevant antecedent order to be made and, in relation to any other order under this Act (other than an order under section 22 of this Act) or to proceedings in which a Court has power to make such an order, or to proceedings arising out of such an order, means a spouse who is or, if it were made, would be required by such an order to make periodical payments for the support of persons named in the order;
“maintenance order” means an order under section 5 of this Act;
“normal deduction rate” and “protected earnings rate” have the meanings respecively assigned to them by section 10 of this Act;
“variation order” means an order under section 6 of this Act varying a maintenance order.
(2) Subject to section 16 of this Act, the relationship of employer and employee shall be regarded as subsisting between two persons if one of them as a principal and not as a servant or agent pays earnings to the other.
(3) References in this Act to a District Court clerk include references to his successor in the office of District Court clerk and to any person acting on his behalf.
(4) References in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended by any subsequent enactment, including this Act.
Commencement of periodical payments.
4.—A periodical payment under an order under this Act shall commence on such date, not being earlier than the date on which the order is made, as may be specified in the order.
PART II
Maintenance of Spouses and Dependent Children
Maintenance order.
5.—(1) (a) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, where it appears to the Court, on application to it by a spouse, that the other spouse has failed to provide such maintenance for the applicant spouse and any dependent children of the family as is proper in the circumstances, the Court may make an order (in this Act referred to as a maintenance order) that the other spouse make to the applicant spouse periodical payments, for the support of the applicant spouse and of each of the dependent children of the family, for such period during the lifetime of the applicant spouse, of such amount and at such times, as the Court may consider proper.
(b) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, where a spouse—
(i) is dead,
(ii) has deserted, or has been deserted by, the other spouse, or
(iii) is living separately and apart from the other spouse,
and there are dependent children of the family (not being children who are being fully maintained by either spouse), then, if it appears to the Court, on application to it by any person, that the surviving spouse or, as the case may be, either spouse has failed to provide such maintenance for any dependent children of the family as is proper in the circumstances, the Court may make an order (in this Act referred to as a maintenance order) that that spouse make to that person periodical payments, for the support of each of those dependent children, for such period during the lifetime of that person, of such amount and at such times, as the Court may consider proper.
(c) A maintenance order or a variation order shall specify each part of a payment under the order that is for the support of a dependent child and may specify the period during the lifetime of the person applying for the order for which so much of a payment under the order as is for the support of a dependent child shall be made.
(2) The Court shall not make a maintenance order for the support of a spouse where the spouse has deserted and continues to desert the other spouse.
(3) Where the applicant spouse has committed adultery, then-
(a) if the other spouse has condoned or connived at, or by wilful neglect or misconduct conduced to, the adultery, the adultery shall not be a ground on which the Court may refuse to make a maintenance order for the support of the applicant spouse,
(b) if the other spouse has not condoned or connived at, or by wilful neglect or misconduct conduced to, the adultery, the Court may, notwithstanding the adultery, make a maintenance order for the support of the applicant spouse in any case where, having regard to all the circumstances (including the conduct of the other spouse), the Court considers it proper to do so.
(4) The Court, in deciding whether to make a maintenance order and, if it decides to do so, in determining the amount of any payment, shall have regard to all the circumstances of the case and, in particular, to the following matters—
(a) the income, earning capacity (if any), property and other financial resources of the spouses and of any dependent children of the family, including income or benefits to which either spouse or any such children are entitled by or under statute, and
(b) the financial and other responsibilities of the spouses towards each other and towards any dependent children of the family and the needs of any such dependent children, including the need for care and attention.
Discharge, variation and termination of maintenance order.
6.—(1) The Court may—
(a) discharge a maintenance order at any time after one year from the making thereof, on the application of the maintenance debtor, where it appears to the Court that, having regard to the maintenance debtor's record of payments pursuant to the order and to the other circumstances of the case, the persons for whose support it provides will not be prejudiced by the discharge thereof, or
(b) discharge or vary a maintenance order at any time, on the application of either party, if it thinks it proper to do so having regard to any circumstances not existing when the order was made or, if it has been varied, when it was last varied, or to any evidence not available to that party when the maintenance order was made or, if it has been varied, when it was last varied.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1) of this section, the Court shall, on application to it under that subsection, discharge that part of a maintenance order which provides for the support of a maintenance creditor where it appears to it that the maintenance creditor, being the spouse of the maintenance debtor, has deserted and continues to desert the maintenance debtor.
(3) That part of a maintenance order which provides for the support of a dependent child shall stand discharged when the child ceases to be a dependent child of the family by reason of his attainment of the age of sixteen years or twenty-one years, as the case may be, and shall be discharged by the Court, on application to it under subsection (1) of this section, if it is satisfied that the child has for any reason ceased to be a dependent child of the family.
(4) Where the applicant spouse has committed adultery since the making of a maintenance order for the support of such spouse, then—
(a) if the other spouse has condoned or connived at, or by wilful neglect or misconduct conduced to, the adultery, the adultery shall not be a ground on which the Court may discharge or vary the maintenance order;
(b) if the other spouse has not condoned or connived at, or by wilful neglect or misconduct conduced to, the adultery, the Court may, notwithstanding the adultery, refuse to discharge or vary the maintenance order for the support of the applicant spouse in any case where the Court, having regard to all the circumstances (including the conduct of that other spouse), considers it proper to refuse to do so.
(5) Desertion or adultery by a spouse shall not be a ground for discharging or varying any part of a maintenance order that provides for the support of dependent children of the family.
Interim order.
7.—On an application to the Court for a maintenance order, the Court, before deciding whether to make or refuse to make the order, may, if it appears to the Court proper to do so having regard to the needs of the persons for whose support the maintenance order is sought and the other circumstances of the case, make an order (in this Act referred to as an interim order) for the payment to the applicant by the maintenance debtor, for a definite period specified in the order or until the application is adjudicated upon by the Court, of such periodical sum as, in the opinion of the Court, is proper.
Orders in respect of certain marital agreements.
8.—Where—
(a) the parties to a marriage enter into an agreement in writing (including a separation agreement) after the commencement of this Act that includes either or both of the following provisions, that is to say—
(i) a provision whereby one spouse undertakes to make periodical payments towards the maintenance of the other spouse or of any dependent children of the family or of both that other spouse and any dependent children of the family,
(ii) a provision governing the rights and liabilities of the spouses towards one another in respect of the making or securing of payments (other than payments specified in paragraph (a) (i) of this section), or the disposition or use of any property, and
(b) an application is made by one or both of the spouses to the High Court or the Circuit Court for an order making the agreement a rule of court,
the Court may make such an order if it is satisfied that the agreement is a fair and reasonable one which in all the circumstances adequately protects the interests of both spouses and the dependent children (if any) of the family, and such order shall, in so far as it relates to a provision specified in paragraph (a) (i) of this section, be deemed, for the purpose of section 9 and Part III of this Act, to be a maintenance order.
Transmission of payments through District Court clerk.
9.—(1) Where the Court makes a maintenance order, a variation order or an interim order under this Act, the Court shall—
(a) thereupon direct that payments under the order shall be made to the District Court clerk, unless the maintenance creditor requests it not to do so and the Court considers that it would be proper not to do so, and
(b) in a case in which the Court has not given a direction under paragraph (a) of this subsection, direct, at any time thereafter on the application of the maintenance creditor, that the payments aforesaid shall be made to the District Court clerk.
(2) Where payments to the District Court clerk under this section are in arrear, the District Court clerk shall, if the maintenance creditor so requests in writing, take such steps as he considers reasonable in the circumstances to recover the sums in arrear whether by proceeding in his own name for an attachment of earnings order or otherwise.
(3) Where a direction has been given under subsection (1) of this section, the Court, on the application of the maintenance debtor and having afforded the maintenance creditor an opportunity to oppose the application, may, if it is satisfied that, having regard to the record of the payments made to the District Court clerk and all the other circumstances, it would be proper to do so, discharge the direction.
(4) The District Court clerk shall transmit any payments made to him by virtue of this section to the maintenance creditor.
(5) Nothing in this section shall affect any right of a person to take proceedings in his own name for the recovery of any sum payable, but not paid, to the District Court clerk by virtue of this section.
(6) References in this section, in relation to any proceedings, to the District Court clerk are references to such District Court clerk in such District Court district as may be determined from time to time by the Court concerned.
(7) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall affect paragraph (a) or (b) of section 14 (8) of the Maintenance Orders Act, 1974.
(8) Section 14 (8) of the Maintenance Orders Act, 1974, is hereby amended by the insertion in paragraph (b) after “application under” of “section 10 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, or” and by the substitution of “the said section 8” for “that section” and the said paragraph (b), as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
(b) The district court clerk shall, if any sum payable by virtue of an enforceable maintenance order is not duly paid and if the maintenance creditor so requests in writing, make an application under section 10 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, or section 8 (which relates to the enforcement of certain maintenance orders) of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, and for that purpose the references in the said section 8 (other than subsections (4) and (5)) to the applicant shall be construed as references to the district court clerk.
PART III
Attachment of Earnings
Attachment of earnings order.
10.—(1) (a) On application—
(i) to the High Court by a person on whose application the High Court has made an antecedent order,
(ii) to the Circuit Court by a person on whose application the Circuit Court has made an antecedent order,
(iii) to the District Court—
(I) by a person on whose application the District Court has made an antecedent order, or
(II) by a District Court clerk to whom payments under an antecedent order are required to be made,
the Court to which the application is made (subsequently referred to in this section as “the Court”) may, to secure payments under the antecedent order, if it is satisfied that the maintenance debtor is a person to whom earnings fall to be paid, make an attachment of earnings order.
(b) References in this subsection to an antecedent order made by any Court include references to such an order made, varied or affirmed on appeal from that Court.
(2) An attachment of earnings order shall be an order directed to a person who (at the time of the making of the order or at any time thereafter) has the maintenance debtor in his employment and shall operate as a direction to that person to make, at such times as may be specified in the order, periodical deductions of such amounts (specified in the order) as may be appropriate, having regard to the normal deduction rate and the protected earnings rate, from the maintenance debtor's earnings and to pay the amounts deducted, at such times as the Court may order—
(a) in case the relevant antecedent order is an enforceable maintenance order, to the District Court clerk specified by the attachment of earnings order for transmission to the person entitled to receive payments made under the relevant antecedent order,
(b) in any other case, to the person referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection or, if the Court considers proper, to the District Court clerk specified by the attachment of earnings order for transmission to that person.
(3) An attachment of earnings order shall not be made without the consent of the maintenance debtor unless the Court is satisfied that the maintenance debtor has, without reasonable excuse, defaulted in the making of any payment under the relevant antecedent order.
(4) An attachment of earnings order shall—
(a) specify the normal deduction rate, that is to say, the rate at which the Court considers it reasonable that the earnings to which the order relates should be applied in satisfying the relevant antecedent order, not exceeding the rate appearing to the Court to be necessary for the purpose of—
(i) securing payment of the sums falling due from time to time under the relevant antecedent order, and
(ii) securing payment within a reasonable period of any sums already due and unpaid under the relevant antecedent order and any costs incurred in proceedings relating to the relevant antecedent order which are payable by the maintenance debtor,
(b) specify the protected earnings rate, that is to say, the rate below which, having regard to the resources and the needs of the maintenance debtor, the Court considers it proper that the relevant earnings should not be reduced by a payment made in pursuance of the attachment of earnings order,
(c) contain so far as they are known to the Court such particulars as it considers appropriate for the purpose of enabling the maintenance debtor to be identified by the person to whom the order is directed.
(5) Payments under an attachment of earnings order shall be in lieu of payments of the like total amount under the relevant antecedent order that have not been made and that, but for the attachment of earnings order, would fall to be made under the relevant antecedent order.
Compliance with attachment of earnings order.
11.—(1) Where an attachment of earnings order or an order varying it is made, the employer for the time being affected by it shall, if it has been served upon him, comply with it; but he shall be under no liability for non-compliance therewith before ten days have elapsed since the service.
(2) Where an attachment of earnings order is served on any person and the maintenance debtor is not in his employment or the maintenance debtor subsequently ceases to be in his employment, that person shall (in either case), within ten days from the date of service or, as the case may be, the cesser, give notice of that fact to the Court.
(3) On any occasion when a person makes, in compliance with an attachment of earnings order, a deduction from a maintenance debtor's earnings, he shall give to the maintenance debtor a statement in writing of the total amount of the deduction.
(4) Such court registrar or court clerk as may be specified by an attachment of earnings order shall cause the order to be served on the employer to whom it is directed and on any subsequent employer of the maintenance debtor concerned of whom the registrar or clerk so specified becomes aware and such service may be effected by leaving the order or a copy of the order at, or sending the order or a copy of the order by registered prepaid post to, the residence or place of business in the State of the person to be served.
Application of sums received by District Court clerk.
12.—Any payments made to a District Court clerk under an attachment of earnings order shall, when transmitted by him to the person entitled to receive those payments, be deemed to be payments made by the maintenance debtor so as to discharge—
(a) firstly, any sums payable under the relevant antecedent order, and
(b) secondly, any costs in proceedings relating to the relevant antecedent order payable by the maintenance debtor when the attachment of earnings order was made or last varied.
Statement as to earnings.
13.—(1) In relation to an attachment of earnings order or an application for such an order, the Court that made the order or to which the application is made may, before or at the hearing or while the order is in force—
(a) order the maintenance debtor to give to the Court, within a specified period, a statement in writing signed by him of—
(i) the name and address of any person by whom earnings are paid to him,
(ii) specified particulars as to his earnings and expected earnings and as to his resources and needs, and
(iii) specified particulars for enabling the maintenance debtor to be identified by any employer of his,
(b) order any person appearing to the Court to have the maintenance debtor in his employment to give to the Court, within a specified period, a statement signed by that person, or on his behalf, of specified particulars of the maintenance debtor's earnings and expected earnings.
(2) Notice of an application for an attachment of earnings order served on a maintenance debtor may include a requirement that he shall give to the Court, within the period and in the manner specified in the notice, a statement in writing of the matters referred to in subsection (1) (a) of this section and of any other matters which are or may be relevant to the determination of the normal deduction rate and the protected earnings rate to be specified in the order.
(3) In any proceedings in relation to an attachment of earnings order, a statement given to the Court in compliance with an order under paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1) of this section or with a requirement under subsection (2) of this section shall be admissible as evidence of the facts stated therein, and a document purporting to be such a statement shall be deemed, unless the contrary is shown, to be a statement so given.
Notification of changes of employment and earnings.
14.—Where an attachment of earnings order is in force:
(a) the maintenance debtor shall notify in writing the Court that made the order of every occasion on which he leaves any employment, or becomes employed or re-employed, not later (in each case) than ten days from the date on which he does so,
(b) the maintenance debtor shall, on any occasion on which he becomes employed or re-employed, include in his notification under paragraph (a) of this section particulars of his earnings and expected earnings from the relevant employment,
(c) any person who becomes an employer of the maintenance debtor and knows that the order is in force and by what Court it was made shall, within ten days of his becoming the maintenance debtor's employer or of acquiring that knowledge (whichever is the later), notify that Court in writing that he is the debtor's employer, and include in his notification a statement of the debtor's earnings and expected earnings.
Power to determine whether particular payments are earnings.
15.—(1) Where an attachment of earnings order is in force, the Court that made the order shall, on the application of the employer concerned or the maintenance debtor or the person to whom payments are being made under the order, determine whether payments (or any portions thereof) to the maintenance debtor of a particular class or description specified by the application are earnings for the purpose of the order, and the employer shall give effect to any determination for the time being in force under this section.
(2) Where an application under this section is made by the employer, he shall not incur any liability for non-compliance with the order as respects any payments (or any portions thereof) of the class or description specified by the application which are made by him to the maintenance debtor while the application or any appeal in consequence thereof or any decision in relation to the application or appeal is pending, but this shall not, unless the Court otherwise orders, apply as respects such payments (or any portions thereof) if the employer subsequently withdraws the application or, as the case may be, abandons the appeal.
Persons in service of State, local authority etc.
16.—(1) Where a maintenance debtor is in the service of the State, a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941, a harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act, 1946, a health board, a vocational education committee established by the Vocational Education Act, 1930, or a committee of agriculture established by the Agriculture Act, 1931, or is a member of either House of the Oireachtas—
(a) in a case where a maintenance debtor in the service of the State is employed in a department, office, organisation, service, undertaking or other body, its chief officer (or such other officer as the Minister of State by whom the department, office, organisation, service, undertaking or other body is administered may from time to time designate) shall, for the purposes of this Act, be regarded as having the maintenance debtor in his employment,
(b) in a case where a maintenance debtor is in the service of such an authority, board or committee, its chief officer shall, for the purposes of this Act, be regarded as having the maintenance debtor in his employment,
(c) in any other case, where a maintenance debtor is paid out of the Central Fund or out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, the Secretary of the Department of Finance (or such other officer of the Minister for Finance as that Minister may from time to time designate) shall, for the purposes of this Act, be regarded as having the maintenance debtor in his employment, and
(d) any earnings of a maintenance debtor paid out of the Central Fund or out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas shall be regarded as paid by the chief officer referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), as the case may be, of this subsection, the Secretary of the Department of Finance or such other officer as may be designated under paragraph (a) or (c), as the case may be, of this subsection, as may be appropriate.
(2) If any question arises in proceedings for or arising out of an attachment of earnings order as to what department, office, organisation, service, undertaking or other body a maintenance debtor in the service of the State is employed in for the purposes of this section, the question may be referred to and determined by the Minister for the Public Service, but that Minister shall not be under any obligation to consider a reference under this subsection unless it is made by the Court.
(3) A document purporting to contain a determination of the Minister for the Public Service under subsection (2) of this section and to be signed by an officer of the Minister for the Public Service shall, in any such proceedings as are mentioned in that subsection, be admissible in evidence and be deemed, unless the contrary is shown, to contain an accurate statement of that determination.
(4) In this section references to a maintenance debtor in the service of the State include references to a maintenance debtor to whom earnings are paid directly out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Discharge, variation and lapse of attachment of earnings order.
17.—(1) The Court that made an attachment of earnings order may, if it thinks fit, on the application of the maintenance creditor, the maintenance debtor or the District Court clerk on whose application the order was made, make an order discharging or varying that order.
(2) Where an order varying an attachment of earnings order is made under this section, the employer shall, if it has been served upon him, comply with it, but he shall be under no liability for non-compliance before ten days have elapsed since the service.
(3) Where an employer affected by an attachment of earnings order ceases to have the maintenance debtor in his employment, the order shall, in so far as that employer is concerned, lapse (except as respects deductions from earnings paid after the cesser by that employer and payment to the person in whose favour the order was made of deductions from earnings made at any time by that employer).
(4) The lapse of an order under subsection (3) of this section shall not prevent its remaining in force for other purposes.
Cesser of attachment of earnings order.
18.—(1) An attachment of earnings order shall cease to have effect upon the discharge of the relevant antecedent order, except as regards payments under the attachment of earnings order in respect of any time before the date of the discharge.
(2) Where an attachment of earnings order ceases to have effect, the clerk or registrar of the Court that made the order shall give notice of the cesser to the employer.
Provisions in relation to alternative remedies.
19.—(1) Where an attachment of earnings order has been made, any proceedings commenced under section 8 (1) of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, for the enforcement of the relevant antecedent order shall lapse and any warrant or order issued or made under that section in any such proceedings shall cease to have effect.
(2) An attachment of earnings order shall cease to have effect upon the making of an order under section 8 (1) of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, for the enforcement of the relevant antecedent order.
Enforcement.
20.—(1) Where, without reasonable excuse, a person—
(a) fails to comply with subsection (1) or (2) of section 11 or section 14 or an order under section 13 or section 17 (2) of this Act, or
(b) gives to a Court a statement pursuant to section 13 (1) of this Act, or a notification under section 14 of this Act, that is false or misleading,
and a maintenance creditor as a result fails to obtain a sum of money due under an attachment of earnings order, that sum may be sued for as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction by the maintenance creditor or the District Court clerk to whom such sum falls to be paid, and that court may order the person to pay to the person suing such amount (not exceeding the sum aforesaid) as in all the circumstances the court considers proper for distribution in such manner and in such amounts as the court may specify amongst the persons for whose benefit the attachment of earnings order was made.
(2) Where a person gives to a Court—
(a) a statement pursuant to section 13 of this Act, or
(b) a notification under section 14 of this Act,
that is to his knowledge false or misleading, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
(3) A person who contravenes section 11 (3) of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
PART IV
Miscellaneous
Property in household allowance.
21.—Any allowance made by one spouse to the other spouse after the commencement of this Act for the purpose of meeting household expenses, and any property or interest in property acquired out of such allowance, shall, in the absence of any agreement, whether express or implied, between them to the contrary, belong to the spouses as joint owners.
Barring of spouse from family home.
22.—(1) On application to it by either spouse, the Court may, if it is of opinion that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the safety or welfare of that spouse or of any dependent child of the family requires it, order the other spouse, if he is residing at a place where the applicant spouse or that child resides, to leave that place, and, whether the other spouse is or is not residing at that place, prohibit him from entering that place until further order by the Court or until such other time as the Court shall specify.
(2) Either spouse may apply at any time to the Court that made it for the discharge of an order under this section, and the Court shall discharge the order if it is satisfied that it is proper to do so and that the safety and welfare of the spouse on whose application the order was made or any dependent child will not be prejudiced by the discharge.
(3) Without prejudice to the law as to contempt of court, where a person—
(a) contravenes an order under this section, or
(b) while an order under this section directed against him is in force, molests or puts in fear his spouse or a dependent child,
he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
(4) In subsections (1) and (2) of this section “the Court” means the High Court, the Circuit Court or the District Court, and—
(a) the District Court shall have jurisdiction in relation to proceedings under this section irrespective of the rateable value of the place to which the proceedings relate, but any order made by the District Court shall, subject to subsection (5) of this section, expire three months after the date of its making but may be renewed from time to time by order of the District Court, on application to it by a person in whose favour the order was made, for further periods of three months but not exceeding three months in respect of any one renewal,
(b) the Circuit Court (except on appeal from an order of the District Court) shall not have jurisdiction in relation to proceedings under this section where the rateable value of the place to which the proceedings relate exceeds £100,
(c) an order made by the Circuit Court on appeal from an order of the District Court under subsection (1) of this section in relation to a place the rateable value of which exceeds £100 shall, subject to subsection (5) of this section, expire three months after the date of its making but may be renewed from time to time by order of the District Court, on application to it by a person in whose favour the order was made, for further periods of three months but not exceeding three months in respect of any one renewal.
(5) An order under this section shall expire upon the determination of any matrimonial cause or matter in the High Court between the spouses or of any proceedings between the spouses under the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, in the High Court or Circuit Court, and the Court determining any such cause, matter or proceedings may, in the cause, matter or proceedings, make an order under this section irrespective of the rateable value of the place to which the order relates.
(6) An appeal from an order under this section shall, if the court that made the order or the court to which the appeal is brought so determines, but not otherwise, stay the proceeding upon the order upon such terms (if any) as may be imposed by the court making the determination.
(7) Where, by reason only of an order under subsection (1) of this section, a person is not residing at a place during any period, he shall be deemed, for the purposes of any rights under the Landlord and Tenant Acts, 1931 to 1971, the Statute of Limitations, 1957, or the Rent Restrictions Acts, 1960 and 1967, to be residing at the place during that period.
Jurisdiction of Courts.
23.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the High Court, the Circuit Court (on appeal from the District Court) and the District Court shall, concurrently, have jurisdiction to hear and determine proceedings under sections 5, 6, 7 and 9 of this Act.
(2) (a) The District Court and the Circuit Court (on appeal from the District Court) shall not have jurisdiction to make an order under this Act for the payment of a periodical sum at a rate greater than £50 per week for the support of a spouse or £15 per week for the support of a child.
(b) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed as conferring on the District Court or on the Circuit Court (on appeal from the District Court) jurisdiction to make an order or direction under section 5, 6, 7 or 9 of this Act in any matter in relation to which the High Court has made an order or direction under any of those sections.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 52 or 79 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924, the jurisdiction conferred on the Circuit Court by section 8 of this Act may be exercised by the Judge of the circuit where either of the parties to the proceedings ordinarily resides or carries on any profession, business or occupation and proceedings under this Act may be brought, heard and determined before and by a Justice of the District Court for the time being assigned to the District Court district where either party to the proceedings ordinarily resides or carries on any profession, business or occupation.
Payments to be without deduction of income tax.
24.—A periodical payment of money pursuant to a maintenance order, a variation order, an interim order, an order under section 8 of this Act (in so far as it is deemed under that section to be a maintenance order), or an attachment of earnings order shall be made without deduction of income tax.
Conduct of Court proceedings.
25.—(1) Proceedings under this Act shall be conducted in a summary manner and shall be heard otherwise than in public.
(2) Proceedings in the High Court and the Circuit Court under this Act shall be heard in chambers.
Costs.
26.—The costs of any proceedings under this Act shall be in the discretion of the Court.
Voidance of certain provisions of agreements.
27.—An agreement shall be void in so far as it would have the effect of excluding or limiting the operation of any provision of this Act (other than section 21).
Amendment of Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, and Courts Act, 1971.
28.—(1) The Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, is hereby amended—
(a) by the insertion in section 1 of the following definition:
“‘child’ means any child who is under the age of sixteen years, or, if he has attained that age—
(i) is or will be or, if an order were made under this Act providing for periodical payments for his support, would be receiving full-time education or instruction at any university, college, school or other educational establishment and is under the age of twenty-one years, or
(ii) is suffering from mental or physical disability to such extent that it is not reasonably possible for him to maintain himself fully.”;
(b) by the substitution in section 2 of the following subsection for subsection (2):
“(2) An application for the issue of a summons or other process under this section may be made only—
(a) before the birth of the illegitimate child in respect of whom the application is made, or
(b) within three years after the birth of the child, or
(c) where the alleged father of the child contributed to the maintenance of the child within three years after the date of the birth of the child, at any time after the contribution, or
(d) where the alleged father of the child was not resident in the State at the date of the birth of the child, at any time not later than three years after the alleged father first takes up residence in the State after that date, or
(e) where the alleged father of the child was resident in the State at the date of the birth of the child but ceased to be so resident within three years after that date, at any time not later than three years after the alleged father first takes up residence in the State after that cesser.”;
(c) by the substitution in section 3 (1) (a) of “two hundred pounds” for “fifty pounds” (inserted by the Courts Act, 1971);
(d) by the substitution for section 3 (5) of the following subsection:
“(5) Proceedings under this Act shall be conducted otherwise than in public.”;
(e) by the substitution for section 3 (6) of the following subsection:
“(6) It shall not be lawful to print or publish or cause to be printed or published any material relating to proceedings under this Act which would tend to identify the parties to the proceedings.”;
(f) by the deletion of sections 3 (7) and 9 (2);
(g) by the insertion in section 3, after subsection (9) of the following subsection:
“(10) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the provisions of section 9 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, shall apply in relation to an affiliation order subject to the modifications that the reference in subsection (4) of the said section 9 to the maintenance creditor shall be construed as a reference to the person to whom payments under the order would, apart from this section, be made by virtue of subsections (3) and (4) of section 9 of this Act and the other references in the said section 9 to the maintenance creditor shall be construed as references to the person on whose application the affiliation order was made.”;
(h) by the substitution for section 4 of the following sections:
“4.—(1) A periodical payment under an order under this Act shall commence on such date, not being earlier than the date on which the order is made, as may be specified in the order.
(2) Every periodical sum payable by a putative father under an affiliation order shall, subject to subsection (3) of this section and to any variation in the amount thereof made under this Act, continue to be payable for such period as may be specified in the order.
(3) Every periodical sum payable by a putative father under an affiliation order shall cease to be payable on the happening of whichever of the following events first happens, that is to say:
(a) the death of the child in respect of whom the said periodical sum is payable;
(b) the commutation under this Act of such periodical sum by payment of a lump sum;
(c) the termination of the said periodical sum by an order under section 5;
(d) the attainment by such child of the age of sixteen years, unless at the time of the making of the order or at any time thereafter before the attainment by the child of the age of sixteen years, the District Court, on account of the educational needs of such child or on account of a physical or mental disability of the child, has ordered otherwise;
(e) the attainment by such child of the age of twenty-one years, where the Court, on account of the educational needs of such child, has ordered that payments be made on his behalf after he has attained the age of sixteen years.
(4) (a) Where an affiliation order, whether made before or after the commencement of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, has been discharged by the District Court under section 5 of this Act or where payments under an affiliation order have ceased to be payable by virtue of this Act, the District Court may, at any time thereafter, notwithstanding anything in this Act, by order direct the making by the putative father of payments of such amount, at such times and for such period as the District Court may specify while the person for whose benefit the order was made is a child.
(b) An order under this subsection shall be deemed, for the purposes of section 3 (10) of this Act, subsection (1) of this section, sections 5 and 6 of this Act and section 31 (1) of the Adoption Act, 1952, to be an affiliation order.
(5) On the death of a putative father liable to pay a periodical sum under an order under this Act, the liability for the payment of such periodical sum shall attach to his estate as a civil debt and such periodical sum shall be recoverable accordingly by the person to whom it is for the time being payable.
4A.—Where it appears to the Court on application to it by any person, that a parent of a child has failed to provide such maintenance for the child as is proper in the circumstances, the Court may make an order that the parent make to that person periodical payments for the support of the child for such period during the lifetime of that person, of such amount and at such times as the Court may consider proper.
(2) The provisions of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976, relating to maintenance orders shall apply, with any necessary modifications and adaptions, in relation to an order under this section.
(3) The Court shall not make an order in relation to a parent of a child under this section if an affiliation order or an order under section 4 (4) of this Act requiring that parent to make payments for the benefit of the child is in force or that parent has made provision for the child by an agreement under which, at or after the time of the hearing of the application for the order under this section payments fall to be made and in relation to which an order under section 10 of this Act has been made unless—
(a) the parent is not complying with the affiliation order or the order under the said section 4 (4) or the agreement, as the case may be, and
(b) the Court, having regard to all the circumstances thinks it proper to do so,
but, if the Court makes the order under this section, any amounts falling due for payment under the affiliation order, the order under the said section 4 (4) or the agreement, as the case may be, on or after the date of the making of the order under this section shall not be payable.
(4) In this section—
‘Court’ shall be construed in accordance with section 23 of the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976; ‘parent’, in relation to a child, means the mother of the child, the putative father of the child, or a person who has made provision for the child by an agreement in relation to which an order has been made under section 10 of this Act;”
(i) by the insertion in section 5 of the following subsection:
“(3) A Justice of the District Court, on the application of the person by whom a periodical sum is payable under an affiliation order, shall discharge the order if it is satisfied that the person for whose benefit the order was made has ceased to be a child.”.
(j) by the substitution in section 6 (1) and 7 of “two hundred pounds” for “fifty pounds” (inserted in the said section 7 by the Courts Act, 1971);
and the said sections 3 (1) (a), 6 (1) and 7, as so amended, are set out in the Table to this section.
(2) References in the said Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, to a weekly payment shall be construed as references to a periodical payment.
(3) Section 19 (3) (a) of the Courts Act, 1971, is hereby amended by the substitution of £15 for £5, and the said section 19 (3) (a), as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
(a) if such child has died before the making of such order, the funeral expenses, as measured by the Justice, of such child to an amount not exceeding two hundred pounds, or
6.—(1) Upon an application under this section in relation to an illigitimate child under the age of sixteen years in respect of whom a weekly sum is then payable under an affiliation order or in relation to an illigitimate child of the age of sixteen years in respect of whom a weekly sum was payable under an affiliation order imediately before he attained that age, a Justice of the District Court may order the putative father of such child or the personal representative of such putative father to pay such sum not exceeding two hundred pounds as the Justice shall fix for the purpose of apprenticing such child to a trade.
7.—Where an illegitimate child in respect of whom an affiliation order has been made dies while a weekly sum is payable in respect of it under such order, a Justice of the District Court may, upon the application within two months after the death of such child of the personl representative of such putative father to pay the funeral expenses, as measured by such Justice, of such shild to an amount not exceeding two hundrd pounds,.
(a) The District court shall not have jurisdiction to make an order under the said Act for the payment of a weekly sum exceeding £15 for the maintenance and education of a child.
Amendment of Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940.
29.—The references in subsections (1) and (7) of section 8 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, to an order shall be construed as including references to a maintenance order, a variation order, an interim order, an order under section 8 of this Act (in so far as it is deemed under that section to be a maintenance order) or a direction under section 9 of this Act.
Repeals.
30.—(1) The Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, section 13 of the Illegitimate Children (Affiliation Orders) Act, 1930, section 7 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1940, and section 18 of the Courts Act, 1971, are hereby repealed, and the reference in section 98 (1) (a) of the Defence Act, 1954, to an order made by a civil court under section 1 of the said Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, shall be construed as a reference to an order under section 5, 6, or 7 of this Act or an order under section 8 of this Act (in so far as it is deemed under that section to be a maintenance order).
(2) (a) Any order made by a Court under the provisions repealed by this section and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act shall continue in force as if it was, and shall be deemed for all purposes to be, a maintenance order or an attachment of earnings order, as the case may be.
(b) Any proceedings initiated under the provisions repealed by this section and not completed before the repeal shall be deemed for all purposes to be proceedings under the corresponding provisions of this Act and may be continued accordingly.
Uimhir 11 de 1976
AN tACHT UM AN DLÍ TEAGHLAIGH (COTHABHÁIL CÉILÍ AGUS LEANAÍ), 1976
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
[6 Aibreán, 1976]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh an lá is mí tar éis dáta a rite.
Léiriú.
3.—(1) San Acht seo, ach mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “réamh-ordú” —
(a) ordú cothabhála,
(b) ordú athrúcháin,
(c) ordú eatramhach,
(d) ordú faoi alt 8 den Acht seo (a mhéid a mheastar faoin alt sin gur ordú cothabhála é),
(e) ordú a meastar faoi alt 30 den Acht seo gur ordú cothabhála é,
(f) ordú ag déanamh forála le haghaidh íocaíochta tréimhsiúla faoi Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930,
(g) ordú le haghaidh cothabhála faoi alt 11 (2) (b) den Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964,
(h) ordú cothabhála infheidhmithe faoin Acht um Orduithe Cothabhála, 1974,
(i) ordú ag ordú ailiúnas a íoc go dtí go ndéanfar agra nó go dtí go n-íocfar buan-ailiúnas;
ciallaíonn “ordú astaithe tuillimh” ordú faoi alt 10 den Acht seo:
forléireofar “Cúirt” de réir alt 23 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach”, maidir le céile nó céilí, aon leanbh—
(a) leis an dá chéile, nó a d'uchtaigh an dá chéile faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1974, nó a bhfuil an dá chéile in loco parentis maidir leis, nó
(b) le ceachtar céile, nó a d'uchtaigh ceachtar céile faoi na hAchtanna Uchtála, 1952 go 1974, nó a bhfuil ceachtar céile in loco parentis maidir leis, i gcás ina bhfuil déileáilte ag an gcéile eile, agus a fhios aige nach duine de thuismitheoirí an linbh é, leis an leanbh mar dhuine den teaghlach,
atá faoi bhun sé bliana déag d'aois, nó má tá an aois sin slán aige—
(i) a bhfuil nó a mbeidh nó, dá ndéanfaí ordú faoin Acht seo do dhéanamh socrú le haghaidh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla lena chothú, a mbeadh oideachas nó teagasc lánaimsire á fháil aige in aon ollscoil, coláiste, scoil nó foras eile oideachais agus atá faoi bhun bliain is fiche d'aois, nó
(ii) a bhfuil an oiread sin de mhíchumas meabhrach nó coirp air nach féidir leis le réasún é féin a chothabháil go hiomlán;
folaíonn “tréigean” iompar ar thaobh céile amháin a dtarlaíonn dá bharr an céile eile, ar chúis mhaith, dá fhágáil agus cónaí ar leithligh agus scartha uaidh, agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “tuilleamh” aon suimeanna is iníoctha le duine—
(a) ar mhodh pá nó tuarastail (lena n-áirítear aon táillí, bónas, coimisiún, pá breis-ama nó díolaíochtaí eile is iníoctha i dteannta pá nó tuarastail nó is iníoctha faoi chonradh seirbhíse);
(b) ar mhodh pinsin nó sochair eile dá shamhail i leith fostaíochta (lena n-áirítear blianacht i leith seirbhísí san aimsir atá caite, cibé acu is don duine a íocann an bhlianacht a rinneadh iad nó nach dó, agus lena n-áirítear íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla ar mhodh cúitimh i ndíolaíochtaí aon oifige nó fostaíochta a chailleadh, mar gheall ar dheireadh a chur leo nó scaradh leo, nó mar gheall ar iad laghdú);
ciallaíonn “ordú eatramhach” ordú faoi alt 7 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “creidiúnaí cothabhála”, maidir le hordú faoin Acht seo (seachas ordú faoi alt 22 den Acht seo), nó maidir le himeachtaí de bharr ordaithe den sórt sin, duine ar ar iarratas uaidh a rinneadh ordú den sórt sin;
ciallaíonn “féichiúnaí cothabhála”, maidir le hordú astaithe tuillimh, nó maidir le himeachtaí ina bhfuil cumhacht ag Cúirt ordú den sórt sin a dhéanamh, nó maidir le himeachtaí de bharr ordaithe den sórt sin, an céile a gceanglaíonn an réamh-ordú iomchuí air íocaíochtaí a íoc agus, maidir le haon ordú eile faoin Acht seo (seachas ordú faoi alt 22 den Acht seo) nó maidir le himeachtaí ina bhfuil cumhacht ag Cúirt ordú den sórt sin a dhéanamh, nó maidir le himeachtaí de bharr ordaithe den sórt sin, céile atá nó, dá ndéanfaí é, a bheadh faoi cheangal ag ordú den sórt sin íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla a íoc chun daoine a ainmnítear san ordú a chothú:
ciallaíonn “ordú cothabhála” ordú faoi alt 5 den Acht seo;
tá le “gnáth-ráta asbhainte” agus le “ráta tuillimh chosanta” na bríonna a shanntar dóibh faoi seach le halt 10 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “ordú athrúcháin” ordú faoi alt 6 den Acht seo ag athrú ordaithe cothabhála.
(2) Faoi réir alt 16 den Acht seo, measfar baint fostaí le fostóir a bheith ag beirt daoine le chéile má dhéanann duine acu mar phríomhaí agus ní mar sheirbhíseach ná mar ghníomhaire tuilleamh a íoc leis an duine eile.
(3) Folaíonn tagairtí san Acht seo do chléireach Cúirte Dúiche tagairtí dá chomharba in oifig chléireach Cúirte Dúiche agus d'aon duine ag gníomhú thar a cheann.
(4) Forléireofar tagairtí san Acht seo d'aon achtachán mar thagairtí don achtachán sin arna leasú le haon achtachán ina dhiaidh sin, lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo.
Nuair a thosóidh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla.
4.—Tosóidh íocaíocht thréimhsiúil faoi ordú faoin Acht seo ar cibé dáta, nach luaithe ná dáta an ordaithe a dhéanamh, a shonrófar san ordú.
CUID II
Céilí agus Leanaí Cleithiúnacha a Chothabháil
Ordú cothabhála.
5.—(1) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (4) den alt seo, i gcás inar dealraitheach don Chúirt, ar chéile do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, go bhfuil mainnithe ag an gcéile eile an chothabháil sin is cuí sna himthosca a sholáthar don chéile iarrthach agus d'aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach, féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú (dá ngairtear ordú cothabhála san Acht seo) a dhéanamh go n-íocfaidh an céile eile leis an gcéile iarrthach íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla, chun an céile iarrthach agus gach duine de leanaí cleithiúnacha an teaghlaigh a chothú, go ceann cibé tréimhse le linn don chéile iarrthach a bheith beo, a mbeidh cibé méid iontu agus cibé tráthanna, is cuí leis an gCúirt.
(b) Faoi réir fho-alt (4) den alt seo, i gcás céile—
(i) a bheith éagtha,
(ii) a bheith tar éis an céile eile a thréigean nó a bheith tréigthe ag an gcéile eile, nó
(iii) a bheith ina chónaí ar leithligh agus scartha ón gcéile eile,
agus go bhfuil leanaí cleithiúnacha sa teaghlach (nach leanaí atá á gcothabháil go hiomlán ag ceachtar céile), ansin, más dealraitheach don Chúirt, ar aon duine do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, go bhfuil mainnithe ag an gcéile marthanach nó, de réir mar a bheidh, ag ceachtar céile an chothabháil sin is cuí sna himthosca a sholáthar d'aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach, féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú (dá ngairtear ordú cothabhála san Acht seo) a dhéanamh go n-íocfaidh an céile sin leis an duine sin íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla, chun gach duine de na leanaí cleithiúnacha sin a chothú, go ceann cibé tréimhse le linn don duine sin a bheith beo, a mbeidh cibé méid iontu agus cibé tráthanna, is cuí leis an gCúirt.
(c) Sonrófar in ordú cothabhála nó in ordú athrúcháin gach cuid d'íocaíocht faoin ordú ar le leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú í agus féadfar an tréimhse, le linn bheith beo don duine a d'iarr an t-ordú, a shonrú ann a ndéanfar an oiread sin d'íocaíocht faoin ordú, ar chun leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú é, a íoc ina haghaidh.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú cothabhála ag ordú céile a chothú i gcás inar thréig an céile an céile eile agus go leanann sé nó sí den tréigean.
(3) I gcás adhaltranas a bheith déanta ag an gcéile iarrthach, ansin—
(a) má lig an céile eile leis an adhaltranas nó má chúlcheadaigh sé nó sí é, nó má chabhraigh sé nó sí leis trí fhaillí nó mí-iompar toiliúil, ní foras an t-adhaltranas ar a faidh an Chúirt diúltú ordú cothabhála a dhéanamh chun an céile iarrthach a chothú,
(b) murar lig an céile eile leis an adhaltranas nó murar chúlcheadaigh sé nó sí é, nó murar chabhraigh sé nó sí léis trí fhaillí nó mí-iompar toiliúil, féadfaidh an Chúirt, d'ainneoin an adhaltranais, ordú cothabhála chun an céile iarrthach a chothú a dhéanamh in aon chás inar dóigh leis an gCúirt, ag féachaint do na himthosca uile (lena n-áirítear iompar an chéile eile), gur cuí sin a dhéanamh.
(4) Le linn don Chúirt bheith á chinneadh an ndéanfaidh nó nach ndéanfaidh sí ordú cothabhála agus, má chinneann sí é a dhéanamh, le linn di bheith ag cinneadh méid aon íocaíochta, beidh aird aici ar imthosca uile an cháis agus, go háirithe, ar na hábhair seo a leanas—
(a) ioncam, cumas tuillimh (más ann), maoin agus acmhainn airgeadais eile na gcéilí agus aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach, lena n-áirítear ioncam nó sochair chun a bhfuil teideal le reacht nó faoi reacht ag ceachtar céile nó ag aon leanaí den sórt sin, agus
(b) freagrachtaí airgeadais agus freagrachtaí eile na gcéilí i leith a chéile agus i leith aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach agus riachtanais aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den sórt sin, lena n-áirítear aire agus aireachas.
Ordú cothabhála a urscaoileadh, a athrú agus a fhoirceannadh.
6.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt—
(a) ordú cothabhála a urscaoileadh aon tráth tar éis bliana ó thráth a dhéanta, ar iarratas ón bhféichiúnaí cothabhála, i gcás inar dealraitheach don Chúirt, ag féachaint do stair íocaíochtaí an fhéichiúnaí cothabhála de bhun an ordaithe agus d'imthosca eile an cháis, nach ndochróidh urscaoileadh an ordaithe cothabhála na daoine ar dá gcothú a dhéanann sé socrú, nó
(b) ordú cothabhála a urscaoileadh nó a athrú aon tráth, ar iarratas ó cheachtar páirtí, más cuí léi sin a dhéanamh ag féachaint d'aon imthosca nach raibh ann nuair a rinneadh an t-ordú nó, má athraíodh é, an uair dheireanach a athraíodh é, nó d'aon fhianaise nach raibh fáil uirthi ag an bpáirtí sin nuair a rinneadh an t-ordú cothabhála nó, má athraíodh é, an uair dheireanach a athraíodh é.
(2) D'ainneoin aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, urscaoilfidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas a dhéanamh chuici faoin bhfo-alt sin, an chuid sin d'ordú cothabhála a dhéanann socrú chun creidiúnaí cothabhála a chothú i gcás ina ndealraíonn sé di gur thréig an creidiúnaí cothabhála, is é sin, céile an fhéichiúnaí cothabhála, an féichiúnaí cothabhála agus go leanann sé nó sí den tréigean.
(3) Beidh an chuid sin d'ordú cothabhála a dhéanann socrú chun leanbh cleithiúnach a chothú arna hurscaoileadh nuair a scoirfidh an leanbh de bheith ina leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach mar gheall ar shé bliana déag d'aois nó bliain is fiche d'aois, de réir mar a bheidh, a shlánú dó, agus urscaoilfidh an Chúirt í, ar iarratas a dhéanamh chuici faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, más deimhin léi go bhfuil scortha ar chúis ar bith ag an leanbh de bheith ina leanbh cleithiúnach den teaghlach.
(4) I gcás adhaltranas a bheith déanta ag an gcéile iarrthach ó rinneadh ordú cothabhála chun an céile sin a chothabháil, ansin—
(a) má lig an céile eile leis an adhaltranas nó má chúlcheadaigh sé nó sí é, nó má chabhraigh sé nó sí leis trí fhaillí nó mí-iompar toiliúil, ní foras an t-adhaltranas ar a bhféadfaidh an Chúirt an t-ordú cothabhála a urscaoileadh nó a athrú;
(b) murar lig an céile eile leis an adhaltranas nó murar chúlcheadaigh sé nó sí é, nó murar chabhraigh sé nó sí leis trí fhaillí nó mí-iompar toiliúil, féadfaidh an Chúirt, d'ainneoin an adhaltranais, diúltú an t-ordú cothabhála chun an céile iarrthach a chothú a urscaoileadh nó a athrú in aon chás inar dóigh leis an gCúirt, ag féachaint do na himthosca uile (lena n-áirítear iompar an chéile eile sin), gur cuí diúltú sin a dhéanamh.
(5) Ní foras tréigean ná adhaltranas ag céile chun aon chuid d'ordú cothabhála a urscaoileadh nó a athrú is ordú a dhéanann socrú chun leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach a chothú.
Ordú eatramhach.
7.—Ar iarratas ar ordú cothabhála a bheith déanta chun na Cúirte, ansin, sula gcinnfidh an Chúirt cé acu a dhéanfaidh sí an t-ordú nó a dhiúltóidh sí é a dhéanamh, féadfaidh an Chúirt, más dealraitheach di gur cuí sin a dhéanamh ag féachaint do riachtanais na ndaoine ar lena gcothú a bheifear ag iarraidh an ordaithe cothabhála agus d'imthosca eile an cháis, ordú (dá ngairtear ordú eatramhach san Acht seo) a dhéanamh ag ordú go n-íocfaidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála leis an iarratasóir, ar feadh tréimhse cinnte a shonrófar san ordú nó go dtí go ndéanfaidh an Chúirt breithniú ar an iarratas, cibé suim thréimhsiúil is cuí i dtuairim na Cúirte.
Orduithe i leith comhaontuithe pósta áirithe.
8.—I gcás—
(a) ina ndéanfaidh na páirtithe i bpósadh comhaontú i scríbhinn (lena n-áirítear comhaontú idirscartha) tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo ina mbeidh an dá fhoráil seo a leanas nó ceachtar acu, is é sin le rá—
(i) foráil trína ngeallfaidh céile amháin íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla a íoc i leith an chéile eile nó aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach nó i leith an chéile eile sin agus aon leanaí cleithiúnacha den teaghlach a chothabháil,
(ii) foráil do rialú cearta agus dliteanais na gcéilí i leith a chéile i ndáil le híocaíochtaí (seachas íocaíochtaí a shonraítear i mír (a) (i) den alt seo) a íoc nó a urrú, nó do rialú diúscairt nó úsáid aon mhaoine, agus
(b) ina ndéanfaidh céile amháin nó an dá chéile iarratas chun na hArd-Chúirte nó chun na Cúirte Cuarda ar ordú a dhéanfaidh riail chúirte den chomhaontú,
féadfaidh an Chúirt ordú den sórt sin a dhéanamh más deimhin léi gur comhaontú cóir réasúnach é a leor-chosnaíonn, sna himthosca go léir, leasanna an dá chéile agus na leanaí cleithiúnacha (más ann) den teaghlach, agus, a mhéid a bhainfidh an t-ordú sin le foráil a shonraítear i mír (a) (i) den alt seo, measfar, chun críche alt 9 agus Chuid III den Acht seo, gur ordú cothabhála é.
Iocaíochtaí a tharchur trí chléireach Cúirte Dúiche.
9.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú cothabhála, ordú athrúcháin nó ordú eatramhach faoin Acht seo, déanfaidh an Chúirt—
(a) treoir a thabhairt air sin go n-íocfar íocaíochtaí faoin ordú leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche, mura n-iarrfaidh an creidiúnaí cothabhála uirthi gan sin a dhéanamh agus go measfaidh an Chúirt gur cuí nach ndéanfaí sin, agus
(b) i gcás nach mbeidh treoir tugtha ag an gCúirt faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, treoir a thabhairt, aon tráth dá éis sin ar iarratas ón gcreidiúnaí cothabhála, go ndéanfar na híocaíochtaí réamhráite a íoc leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche.
(2) I gcás ina mbeidh íocaíochtaí leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche faoin alt seo i riaráiste, déanfaidh an cléireach Cúirte Dúiche, má iarrann an creidiúnaí cothabhála é i scríbhinn, cibé bearta a mheasfaidh sé a bheith réasúnach sna himthosca chun na suimeanna i riaráiste a ghnóthú cibé acu trí imeachtaí ina ainm féin ag iarraidh ordú astaithe tuillimh nó ar shlí eile é.
(3) I gcás ina mbeidh treoir tugtha faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt, ar iarratas ón bhféichiúnaí cothabhála agus tar éis deis a thabhairt don chreidiúnaí cothabhála cur in aghaidh an iarratais, an treoir a urscaoileadh más deimhin léi, ag féachaint do stair na n-íocaíochtaí a íocadh leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche agus do na himthosca eile go léir, gur chuí sin a dhéanamh.
(4) Déanfaidh an cléireach Cúirte Dúiche aon íocaíochtaí a íocfar leis de bhua an ailt seo a tharchur chuig an gcreidiúnaí cothabhála.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san alt seo difear d'aon cheart de chuid duine imeachtaí a thionscnamh ina ainm féin chun aon suim a ghnóthú is iníoctha, ach nár íocadh, leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche de bhua an ailt seo.
(6) Na tagairtí san alt seo, i ndáil le haon imeachtaí, don chléireach Cúirte Dúiche is tagairtí iad do cibé cléireach Cúirte Dúiche i cibé dúiche Cúirte Dúiche a chinnfidh an Chúirt lena mbainfidh ó am go ham.
(7) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) nó (2) den alt seo difear do mhír (a) nó (b) d'alt 14 (8) den Acht um Orduithe Cothabhála, 1974.
(8) Déantar leis seo alt 14 (8) den Acht um Orduithe Cothabhála, 1974, a leasú trí “alt 10 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, nó faoi” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “iarratas faoi” agus trí “8” a chur isteach i ndiaidh “san alt sin” i mír (b) agus tá an mhír sin (b), arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TABLA | |
(b) Mura ndéanfar aon suim is iníoctha de bhua ordú cothabhála infheidhmithe a íoc go cuí agus má iarrann an creidiúnaí cothabhála i scríbhinn é, déanfaidh an cléireach cúirte dúiche iarratas faoi alt 10 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, | |
nó faoi alt 8 (a bhaineann le feidhmiú orduithe cothabhála áirithe) den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, agus chun na críche sin déanfar na tagairtí san alt sin 8 (seachas fo-ailt (4) agus (5)) don iarratasóir a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don chléireach cúirte dúiche. | |
CUID III
Tuilleamh a Astú
Ordú astaithe tuillimh.
10.—(1) (a) Ar iarratas a dhéanamh—
(i) chun na hArd-Chúirte ag duine a ndearna an Ard-Chúirt réamh-ordú ar iarratas uaidh,
(ii) chun na Cúirte Cuarda ag duine a ndearna an Chúirt Chuarda réamh-ordú ar iarratas uaidh,
(iii) chun na Cúirte Dúiche—
(I) ag duine a ndearna an Chúirt Dúiche réamhordú ar iarratas uaidh, nó
(II) ag cléireach Cúirte Dúiche a gceanglaítear íocaíochtaí faoi réamh-ordú a íoc leis,
ansin, chun íocaíochtaí faoin réamh-ordú a áirithiú, féadfaidh an Chúirt ar chuici a rinneadh an t-iarratas (dá ngairtear “an Chúirt” ina dhiaidh seo san alt seo), más deimhin léi gur duine an féichiúnaí cothabhála a mbeidh tuilleamh le híoc leis, ordú astaithe tuillimh a dhéanamh.
(b) Folaíonn tagairtí san fho-alt seo do réamh-ordú a rinne aon Chúirt tagairtí d'ordú den sórt sin a rinneadh, a athraíodh nó a daingníodh ar achomharc ón gCúirt sin.
(2) Is é a bheidh in ordú astaithe tuillimh ordú a bheidh dírithe chuig duine a mbeidh (tráth an ordaithe a dhéanamh nó aon tráth dá éis sin) an féichiúnaí cothabhála ar fostú aige agus oibreoidh sé mar threoir chuig an duine sin suimeanna a mbeidh iontu cibé méideanna (a shonrófar san ordú) is iomchuí, ag féachaint don ghnáth-ráta asbhainte agus don ráta tuillimh chosanta, a bhaint go tréimhsiúil, na tráthanna sin a bheidh sonraithe san ordú, as tuilleamh an fhéichiúnaí cothabhála agus na méideanna a asbhainfear a íoc, na tráthanna sin a ordóidh an Chúirt—
(a) i gcás inar ordú cothabhála infheidhmithe an réamh-ordú iomchuí, leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche a bheidh sonraithe leis an ordú astaithe tuillimh lena dtarchur chuig an duine a bheidh i dteideal íocaíochtaí a rinneadh faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí a fháil,
(b) in aon chás eile, leis an duine dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo nó, más cuí leis an gCúirt é, leis an gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche a bheidh sonraithe leis an ordú astaithe tuillimh lena dtarchur chuig an duine sin.
(3) Ní dhéanfar ordú astaithe tuillimh gan toiliú an fhéichiúnaí cothabhála mura deimhin leis an gCúirt go bhfuil mainnithe ag an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála, gan leithscéal réasúnach, aon íocaíocht a íoc faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí.
(4) Gach ordú astaithe tuillimh—
(a) sonrófar ann an gnáth-ráta asbhainte, is é sin le rá, an ráta a measfaidh an Chúirt gur réasúnach an tuilleamh lena mbaineann an t-ordú a fheidhmiú dá réir leis an réamhordú iomchuí a chomhlíonadh, nach mó ná an ráta is dealraitheach don Chúirt is gá—
(i) chun a áirithiú go n-íocfar na suimeanna a thiocfaidh chun bheith dlite ó am go ham faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí, agus
(ii) chun a áirithiú go n-íocfar laistigh de thréimhse réasúnach aon suimeanna a bheidh dlite cheana féin agus gan íoc faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí agus, freisin, aon chostais a tabhaíodh in imeachtaí i ndáil leis an réamh-ordú iomchuí agus is iníoctha ag an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála,
(b) sonrófar ann an ráta tuillimh chosanta, is é sin le rá, an ráta ar cuí i dtuairim na Cúirte, ag féachaint d'acmhainn agus do riachtanais an fhéichiúnaí cothabhála, nach ndéanfaí an tuilleamh iomchuí a laghdú thairis anuas trí íocaíocht de bhun ordaithe astaithe tuillimh,
(c) beidh ann, a mhéid is feasach don Chuirt iad, cibé sonraí is iomchuí léi le go bhféadfaidh an duine a mbeidh an t-ordú dírithe chuige aithne a thabhairt ar an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála.
(5) Na híocaíochtaí a íocfar faoi ordú astaithe tuillimh is íocaíochtaí iad in ionad íocaíochtaí ar cóimhéid iomlán leo faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí nár íocadh agus a bheadh, mura mbeadh an t-ordú astaithe tuillimh, le híoc faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí.
Ordú astaithe tuillimh a chomhlíonadh.
11.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar ordú astaithe tuillimh nó ordú á athrú, déanfaidh an fostóir dá ndéanfaidh sé difear de thuras na huaire é a chomhlíonadh má bhíonn sé seirbheáilte air; ach ní bheidh aon dliteanas air mar gheall ar neamhchomhlíonadh sula mbeidh deich lá caite ó thráth a sheirbheála.
(2) I gcás ina seirbheálfar ordú astaithe tuillimh ar aon duine agus nach mbeidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála ar fostú aige nó go scoirfidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála dá éis sin de bheith ar fostú aige, déanfaidh an duine sin (i gceachtar cás), laistigh de dheich lá ó dháta na seirbheála nó, de réir mar a bheidh, an scoir, fógra faoin bhfíoras sin a thabhairt don Chúirt.
(3) Aon ócáid a dhéanfaidh duine, do chomhlíonadh ordaithe astaithe tuillimh, asbhaint as tuilleamh féichiúnaí cothabhála, tabhar faidh sé ráiteas i scríbhinn don fhéichiúnaí cothabhála ag insint méid iomlán na hasbhainte.
(4) Cuirfidh cibé cláraitheoir cúirte nó cibé cléireach cúirte a bheidh sonraithe le hordú astaithe tuillimh faoi deara an t-ordú a sheirbheáil ar an bhfostóir chun a mbeidh sé dírithe agus ar aon fhostóir ag a mbeidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála lena mbaineann ar fostú dá éis sin agus a bhfaighidh an cláraitheoir nó an cléireach a bheidh sonraithe amhlaidh fios faoi agus féadfar an tseirbheáil sin a dhéanamh tríd an ordú nó cóip den ordú a fhágáil ag an áit chónaí nó ag an áit ghnó atá sa Stát ag an duine a bheidh le seirbheáil nó a chur leis an bpost cláraithe réamhíoctha go dtí an áit chónaí nó an áit ghnó sin.
Suimeanna a gheobhaidh cléireach Cúirte Dúiche a chur chun feidhme.
12.—I ndáil le haon íocaíochtaí a íocfar le cléireach Cúirte Dúiche faoi ordú astaithe tuillimh, measfar, nuair a tharchuirfidh sé na híocaíochtaí sin chuig an duine a bheidh i dteideal iad a fháil, gur íocaíochtaí iad a d'íoc an féichiúnaí cothabhála chun go n-urscaoilfí—
(a) sa chéad ásc, aon suimeanna is iníoctha faoin réamh-ordú iomchuí, agus
(b) ansin, aon chostais in imeachtaí i ndáil leis an réamh-ordú iomchuí ab iníoctha ag an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála an uair a rinneadh, nó an uair dheiridh a athraíodh, an t-ordú astaithe tuillimh.
Ráiteas maidir le tuilleamh.
13.—(1) I ndáil le hordú astaithe tuillimh nó le hiarratas ar ordú den sórt sin, féadfaidh an Chúirt a rinne an t-ordú nó a mbeidh an t-iarratas déanta chuici, roimh an éisteacht nó le linn na héisteachta nó le linn don ordú a bheith i bhfeidhm—
(a) a ordú don fhéichiúnaí cothabhála ráiteas i scríbhinn a bheidh sínithe aige a thabhairt don Chúirt laistigh de thréimhse shonraithe ina n-inseoidh sé—
(i) ainm agus seoladh aon duine a íocann tuilleamh leis,
(ii) mioninste sonraithe maidir lena thuilleamh agus lena thuilleamh ionchasach agus maidir lena acmhainn agus lena riachtanais, agus
(iii) mioninste sonraithe le go bhféadfaidh aon fhostóir a mbeidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála ar fostú aige aithne a thabhairt ar an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála sin,
(b) a ordú d'aon duine ar dealraitheach don Chúirt an féichiúnaí cothabhála a bheith ar fostú aige ráiteas a bheidh sínithe ag an duine sin, nó thar a cheann, ag insint mioninste sonraithe faoi thuilleamh agus faoi thuilleamh ionchasach an fhéichiúnaí cothabhála a thabhairt don Chúirt laistigh de thréimhse shonraithe.
(2) Féadfaidh ceanglas a bheith i bhfógra faoi iarratas ar ordú astaithe tuillimh a sheirbheálfar ar fhéichiúnaí cothabhála á cheangal go dtabharfaidh sé don Chúirt, laistigh den tréimhse agus sa tslí a shonrófar san fhógra, ráiteas i scríbhinn ag insint na n-ábhar dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) (a) den alt seo agus aon ábhair eile a mbeidh baint acu, nó a bhféadfaidh baint a bheith acu, le cinneadh an ghnáthráta asbhainte agus an ráta tuillimh chosanta a shonrófar san ordú.
(3) In aon imeachtaí i ndáil le hordú astaithe tuillimh beidh ráiteas a thabharfar don Chúirt do chomhlíonadh ordaithe faoi mhír (a) nó (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo nó ceanglais faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo inghlactha mar fhianaise ar na fíorais a bheidh luaite sa chéanna, agus measfar gur ráiteas a tugadh amhlaidh, mura suífear a mhalairt, doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ráiteas den sórt sin é.
Fógra faoi athrú ar fhostaíocht agus ar thuilleamh.
14.—I gcás ina mbeidh ordú astaithe tuillimh i bhfeidhm:
(a) tabharfaidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála fógra i scríbhinn don Chúirt a rinne an t-ordú faoi gach ócáid ar a bhfágfaidh sé aon fhostaíocht, nó ar a rachaidh sé ar fostaíocht nó ar athfhostaíocht, tráth nach déanaí (i ngach cás) ná deich lá ón dáta a dhéanfaidh sé sin,
(b) déanfaidh an féichiúnaí cothabhála, ar aon ócáid ar a rachaidh sé ar fostaíocht nó ar athfhostaíocht, sonraí a thuillimh agus a thuillimh ionchasaigh ón bhfostaíocht iomchuí a chur san fhógra uaidh faoi mhír (a) den alt seo,
(c) aon duine a thiocfaidh chun bheith ina fhostóir ag an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála agus a fhios aige faoin ordú a bheith i bhfeidhm agus cén Chúirt a rinne é, tabharfaidh sé, laistigh de dheich lá ón tráth a thiocfaidh sé chun bheith ina fhostóir ag an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála nó ón tráth a gheobhaidh sé an t-eolas sin (cibé tráth acu is déanaí), fógra i scríbhinn don Chúirt sin gurb eisean fostóir an fhéichiúnaí, agus cuirfidh sé san fhógra sin uaidh ráiteas ag insint tuilleamh agus tuilleamh ionchasach an fhéichiúnaí.
Cumhacht a chinneadh an tuilleamh íocaíochtaí áirithe.
15.—(1) I gcás ina mbeidh ordú astaithe tuillimh i bhfeidhm, déanfaidh an Chúirt a rinne an t-ordú, ar iarratas ón bhfostóir iomchuí nó ón bhféichiúnaí cothabhála nó ón duine a n-íoctar íocaíochtaí leis faoin ordú, a chinneadh an tuilleamh chun críche an ordaithe íocaíochtaí (nó aon chodanna d'íocaíochtaí) a íoctar leis an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála d'aicme nó de thuairisc áirithe a shonraítear leis an iarratas, agus tabharfaidh an fostóir éifeacht d'aon chinneadh a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire faoin alt seo.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an fostóir iarratas faoin alt seo, ní thabhóidh sé aon dliteanas mar gheall ar an ordú a bheith gan chomhlíonadh aige maidir le haon íocaíochtaí (nó aon chodanna d'íocaíochtaí) den aicme nó den tuairisc a bheidh sonraithe san iarratas agus a íocfaidh sé leis an bhféichiúnaí cothabhála le linn an t-iarratas nó aon achomharc dá dhroim nó aon chinneadh i ndáil leis an iarratas nó leis an achomharc a bheith ar feitheamh, ach ní bheidh feidhm aige sin, mura n-ordóidh an Chúirt a mhalairt, maidir leis na híocaíochtaí sin (nó aon chodanna díobh) má tharraingíonn an fostóir an t-iarratas siar nó, de réir mar a bheidh, má thréigeann sé an t-achomharc, ina dhiaidh sin.
Daoine i seirbhís an Stáit, údaráis áitiúil etc.
16.—(1) Má bhíonn féichiúnaí cothabhála i seirbhís an Stáit, i seirbhís údaráis áitiúil chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941, i seirbhís údaráis chuain de réir brí an Achta Cuanta, 1946, i seirbhís boird sláinte, i seirbhís coiste gairmoideachais a bunaíodh leis an Acht Oideachais Ghairme Beatha, 1930, nó i seirbhís coiste talmhaíochta a bunaíodh leis an Acht Talmhaíochta, 1931, nó más comhalta é de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas—
(a) i gcás féichiúnaí cothabhála i seirbhís an Stáit a bheith ar fostú i roinn, in oifig, in eagras, i seirbhís, i ngnóthas nó i gcomhlacht eile, measfar, chun críocha an Achta seo, an féichiúnaí cothabhála a bheith ar fostú ag príomhoifigeach an chéanna (nó ag cibé oifigeach eile a dhéanfaidh an tAire Stáit a riarann an roinn, an oifig, an t-eagras, an tseirbhís, an gnóthas nó an comhlacht eile a ainmniú ó am go ham), agus
(b) i gcás féichiúnaí cothabhála a bheith i seirbhís údaráis, boird nó coiste den sórt sin, measfar, chun críocha an Achta seo, an féichiúnaí cothabhála a bheith ar fostú ag príomh-oifigeach an chéanna,
(c) in aon chás eile, mar a n-íoctar féichiúnaí cothabhála as an bPríomh-Chiste nó as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas, measfar, chun críocha an Achta seo, an féichiúnaí cothabhála a bheith ar fostú ag Rúnaí na Roinne Airgeadais (nó ag cibé oifigeach eile don Aire Airgeadais a ainmneoidh an tAire sin ó am go ham), agus
(d)measfar, maidir le aon tuilleamh de chuid féichiúnaí cothabhála a íoctar as an bPríomh-Chiste nó as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas, gurb é an príomhoifigeach dá dtagraítear i mír (a) nó (b), de réir mar a bheidh, den fho-alt seo, nó Rúnaí na Roinne Airgeadais nó cibé oifigeach eile a bheidh ainmnithe faoi mhír (a) nó (c), de réir mar a bheidh, den fho-alt seo, de réir mar is iomchuí, a íocann é.
(2) Má éiríonn aon cheist in imeachtaí le haghaidh nó de bharr ordaithe astaithe tuillimh i dtaobh cén roinn, oifig, eagras, seirbhís, gnóthas nó comhlacht eile ina bhfuil féichiúnaí cothabhála i seirbhís an Stáit ar fostú chun críocha an ailt seo, féadfar an cheist a tharchur chuig Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus féadfaidh seisean í a chinneadh, ach ní bheidh aon oibleagáid ar an Aire sin tarchur faoin bhfo-alt seo a bhreithniú murab í an Chúirt a dhéanfaidh an tarchur sin.
(3) Doiciméad a airbheartóidh cinneadh a bheith ann ó Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo agus a bheith sínithe ag oifigeach de chuid Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí beidh sé, in aon imeachtaí den sórt a luaitear san fho-alt sin, inghlactha i bhfianaise agus measfar, mura suífear a mhalairt, ráiteas cruinn ar an gcinneadh sin a bheith ann.
(4) San alt seo folaíonn tagairtí d'fhéichiúnaí cothabhála i seirbhís an Stáit tagairtí d'fhéichiúnaí cothabhála lena n-íoctar tuilleamh díreach amach as airgead arna sholáthar ag an Oireachtas.
Ordú astaithe tuillimh a urscaoileadh, a athrú agus dul as feidhm.
17.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt a rinne ordú astaithe tuillimh, más cuí léi, ar iarratas ón gcreidiúnaí cothabhála, ón bhféichiúnaí cothabhála nó ón gcléireach Cúirte Dúiche ar ar iarratas uaidh a rinneadh an t-ordú, ordú a dhéanamh ag urscaoileadh nó ag athrú an ordaithe sin.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfar ordú faoin alt seo ag athrú ordaithe astaithe tuillimh, comhlíonfaidh an fostóir é má bhíonn sé seirbheáilte air, ach ní bheidh aon dliteanas air mar gheall ar neamhchomhlíonadh sula mbeidh deich lá caite ó thráth na seirbheála.
(3) I gcás fostóir dá ndéanann ordú astaithe tuillimh difear do scor den fhéichiúnaí cothabhála a bheith ar fostú aige, rachaidh an t-ordú, a mhéid a bhaineann leis an bhfostóir sin, as feidhm (ach amháin maidir le hasbhaintí as tuillimh a íocfaidh an fostóir sin tar éis an scoir agus suimeanna a bhain an fostóir sin aon tráth as tuillimh a íoc leis an duine ar ina fhabhar a rinneadh an t-ordú).
(4) Ní choiscfidh ordú dul as feidhm faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo é leanúint i bhfeidhm chun críocha eile.
Ordú astaithe tuillimh do scor d'éifeacht a bheith aige.
18.—(1) Scoirfidh ordú astaithe tuillimh d'éifeacht a bheith aige ar an réamh-ordú iomchuí a urscaoileadh, ach amháin maidir le híocaíochtaí faoin ordú astaithe tuillimh i leith aon ama roimh dháta an urscaoilte.
(2) I gcás ina scoirfidh ordú astaithe tuillimh d'éifeacht a bheith aige, tabharfaidh cléireach nó cláraitheoir na Cúirte a rinne an t-ordú fógra faoin scor don fhostóir.
Forálacha maidir le malairt leigheasanna.
19.—(1) I gcás ordú astaithe tuillimh a bheith déanta, rachaidh aon imeachtaí as feidhm a tionscnaíodh faoi alt 8 (1) den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, chun an réamh-ordú iomchuí a fheidhmiú agus aon ordú nó barántas a eisíodh nó a rinneadh faoin alt sin in aon imeachtaí den sórt sin scoirfidh sé d'éifeacht a bheith aige.
(2) Scoirfidh ordú astaithe tuillimh d'éifeacht a bheith aige ar ordú a dhéanamh faoi alt 8 (1) den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, chun an réamh-ordú iomchuí a fheidhmiú.
Feidhmiú.
20.—(1) I gcás duine, gan leithscéal réasúnach—
(a) do mhainniú déanamh de réir fho-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 11 nó alt 14 nó de réir ordú faoi alt 13 nó 17 (2) den Acht seo, nó
(b) do thabhairt do Chúirt ráiteas de bhun alt 13 (1) den Acht seo, nó fógra faoi alt 14 den Acht seo, a bheidh bréagach nó míthreorach,
agus nach bhfaighidh creidiúnaí cothabhála, dá dheasca sin, suim airgid a bheidh dlite faoi ordú astaithe tuillimh, féadfaidh an creidiúnaí cothabhála nó an cléireach Cúirte Dúiche a mbeidh an tsuim sin le híoc leis agairt i leith na suime mar fhiach conartha shimplí in aon chúirt dlínse inniúla, agus féadfaidh an chúirt sin a ordú don duine cibé suim (nach mó ná an tsuim réamhráite) a measfaidh an chúirt gur suim chuí í sna himthosca uile a íoc leis an agróir le dáileadh, i cibé slí agus i cibé méideanna a shonróidh an chúirt, idir na daoine ar ar mhaithe leo a rinneadh an t-ordú astaithe tuillimh.
(2) I gcás ina dtabharfaidh duine do Chúirt—
(a) ráiteas de bhun alt 13 den Acht seo, nó
(b) fógra faoi alt 14 den Acht seo,
is eol dó a bheith bréagach nó míthreorach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £200 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(3) Beidh duine a sháróidh alt 11 (3) den Acht seo ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
CUID IV
Ilghnéitheach
Maoin i liúntas tís.
21.—Aon liúntas a thabharfaidh céile amháin don chéile eile tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo faoi chomhair caiteachais tís agus aon mhaoin nó aon leas i maoin a gheofar as liúntas den sórt sin measfar, mura mbeidh aon chomhaontú dá mhalairt, sainráite nó intuigthe, eatarthu, gur leis an dá chéile mar chomhúinéirí é.
Céile a dhúnadh amach as áras an teaghlaigh.
22.—(1) Ar cheachtar céile do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, féadfaidh an Chúirt, más é a tuairim go bhfuil cúis réasúnach ann lena chreidiúint gur gá é ar mhaithe le sábháilteacht nó leas an chéile sin nó aon linbh chleithiúnaigh den teaghlach, a ordú don chéile eile, má chónaíonn sé in áit ina gcónaíonn an céile iarrthach nó an leanbh sin, an áit sin a fhágáil, agus, cibé acu a chónaíonn nó nach gcónaíonn an céile eile san áit sin, a thoirmeasc air dul isteach san áit sin go dtí go ndéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú eile nó go dtí cibé tráth eile a shonróidh an Chúirt.
(2) Féadfaidh ceachtar céile iarratas a dhéanamh tráth ar bith chun na Cúirte a rinne ordú faoin alt seo á iarraidh go n-urscaoilfí an t-ordú, agus urscaoilfidh an Chúirt an t-ordú más deimhin léi gur ceart sin a dhéanamh agus nach ndéanfaidh an t-urscaoileadh dochar do shábháilteacht agus do leas an chéile ar ar iarratas uaidh a rinneadh an t-ordú ná do shábháilteacht agus do leas aon linbh chleithiúnaigh.
(3) Gan dochar don dlí maidir le díspeagadh cúirte, i gcás duine—
(a) do shárú ordú faoin alt seo, nó
(b) do chur, le linn ordú faoin alt seo a bheidh dírithe ina aghaidh a bheith i bhfeidhm, araoid nó eagla ar a chéile nó ar leanbh cleithiúnach,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £200 nó, de rogha na cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(4) I bhfo-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Ard-Chúirt, an Chúirt Chuarda nó an Chúirt Dúiche, agus—
(a) beidh dlínse ag an gCúirt Dúiche i ndáil le himeachtaí faoin alt seo ar neamhshuim le luacháil inrátaithe na háite lena mbaineann na himeachtaí, ach, faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, rachaidh aon ordú ón gCúirt Dúiche in éag trí mhí tar éis dáta a dhéanta ach féadfar é a athnuachan ó am go ham le hordú ón gCúirt Dúiche, ar dhuine a ndearnadh an t-ordú ar mhaithe leis á iarraidh sin uirthi, go ceann tréimhsí eile trí mhí ach nach faide ná trí mhí maidir le haon athnuachan ar leith,
(b) ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt Chuarda (ach amháin ar achomharc ó ordú de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche) i ndáil le himeachtaí faoin alt seo i gcás inar mó ná £100 luacháil inrátaithe na háite lena mbaineann na himeachtaí,
(c) rachaidh ordú ón gCúirt Chuarda ar achomharc ó ordú de chuid na Cúirte Dúiche faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo i ndáil le háit ar mó ná £100 a luacháil inrátaithe in éag, faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, trí mhí tar éis dáta a dhéanta ach féadfar é a athnuachan ó am go ham le hordú ón gCúirt Dúiche, ar dhuine a ndearnadh an t-ordú ar mhaithe leis á iarraidh sin uirthi, go ceann tréimhsí eile trí mhí ach nach faide ná trí mhí maidir le haon athnuachan ar leith.
(5) Rachaidh ordú faoin alt seo in éag nuair a chinnfear aon chúis nó ábhar maidir le pósadh san Ard-Chúirt idir na céilí nó aon imeachtaí idir na céilí faoin Acht um Chaomhnóireacht Naíon, 1964, san Ard-Chúirt nó sa Chúirt Chuarda, agus an Chúirt a chinnfidh aon chúis, ábhar nó imeachtaí den sórt sin, féadfaidh sí ordú faoin alt seo a dhéanamh sa chúis, san ábhar nó sna himeachtaí ar neamhshuim le luacháil inrátaithe na háite lena mbainfidh an t-ordú.
(6) Cuirfidh achomharc ó ordú faoin alt seo, má dhéanann an chúirt a rinne an t-ordú nó an chúirt a ndéanfar an t-achomharc chuici sin a chinneadh, ach ní chuirfidh in aon chúinse eile, bac ar an imeacht ar an ordú ar cibé téarmaí (más ann) a fhorchuirfidh an chúirt a dhéanfaidh an cinneadh.
(7) I gcás gan duine a bheith ina chónaí in áit i gcaitheamh aon tréimhse áirithe mar gheall ar ordú faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo agus mar gheall ar sin amháin, measfar, chun críocha aon chearta faoi na hAchtanna um Thiarnaí Talún agus Tionontaí, 1931 go 1971, faoi Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957, nó faoi na hAchtanna Srianta Cíosa, 1960 agus 1967, é a bheith ina chónaí san áit i gcaitheamh na tréimhse sin.
Dlínse na gCúirteanna.
23.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, beidh, go comhthráthach, ag an Ard-Chúirt, ag an gCúirt Chuarda (ar achomharc ón gCúirt Dúiche) agus ag an gCúirt Dúiche, dlínse imeachtaí faoi ailt 5, 6, 7 agus 9 den Acht seo a éisteacht agus a chinneadh.
(2) (a) Ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt Dúiche ná ag an gCúirt Chuarda (ar achomharc ón gCúirt Dúiche) ordú a dhéanamh faoin Acht seo á ordú go n-íocfar suim thréimhsiúil de réir ráta is mó ná £50 sa tseachtain chun céile a chothú nó is mó ná £15 sa tseachtain chun leanbh a chothú.
(b) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo mar ní a thugann don Chúirt Dúiche nó don Chúirt Chuarda (ar achomharc ón gCúirt Dúiche) dlínse ordú a dhéanamh nó treoir a thabhairt faoi alt 5, 6, 7 nó 9 den Acht seo in aon ábhar a ndearna an Ard-Chúirt ordú, nó ar thug an Ard-Chúirt treoir, i ndáil leis faoi aon cheann de na hailt sin.
(3) D'ainneoin aon ní in alt 52 nó 79 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924, féadfaidh Breitheamh na cuarda ina bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar cheachtar de na páirtithe sna himeachtaí nó ina seolann ceachtar de na páirtithe sin aon ghairm, gnó nó slí bheatha an dlínse a thugtar don Chúirt Chuarda le halt 8 den Acht seo a fheidhmiú agus féadfar imeachtaí faoin Acht seo a thabhairt os comhair Breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche a bheidh sannta de thuras na huaire don cheantar Cúirte Dúiche ina bhfuil gnáthchónaí ar cheachtar de na páirtithe sna himeachtaí nó ina seolann ceachtar de na páirtithe sin aon ghairm, gnó nó slí bheatha agus féadfaidh an Breitheamh sin na himeachtaí sin a éisteacht agus a chinneadh.
Gan cáin ioncaim a bhaint as íocaíochtaí.
24.—Aon íocaíocht thréimhsiúil airgid a dhéanfar de bhun ordaithe cothabhála, ordaithe athrúcháin, ordaithe eatramhaigh, ordú faoi alt 8 den Acht seo (a mhéid a mheastar faoin alt sin gur ordú cothabhála é), nó ordaithe astaithe tuillimh déanfar í gan cáin ioncaim a bhaint aisti.
Seoladh imeachtaí Cúirte.
25.—(1) Déanfar imeachtaí faoin Acht seo a sheoladh go hachomair agus a éisteacht ar shlí seachas go poiblí.
(2) I ndlísheomraí a éistfear imeachtaí san Ard-Chúirt agus sa Chúirt Chuarda faoin Acht seo.
Costais.
26.—Is de réir rogha na Cúirte a bheidh costais aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo.
Forálacha áirithe i gcomhaontuithe a bheith ar neamhní.
27.—Beidh comhaontú ar neamhní a mhéid a bheadh d'éifeacht leis gníomhú aon fhorála den Acht seo (seachas alt 21) a eisiamh nó a theorannú.
Leasú ar Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930, agus ar Acht na gCúirteanna, 1971.
28.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930—
(a) tríd an míniú seo a leanas a chur isteach in alt 1:
“ciallaíonn ‘leanbh’ aon leanbh atá faoi bhun sé bliana déag d'aois, nó, má tá an aois sin slán aige—
(i) a bhfuil nó a mbeidh nó, dá ndéanfaí ordú faoin Acht seo do dhéanamh socrú le haghaidh íocaíochtaí tréimhsiúla lena chothú, a mbeadh oideachas nó teagasc lánaimsire á fháil aige in aon ollscoil, coláiste, scoil nó foras eile oideachais agus atá faoi bhun bliain is fiche d'aois, nó
(ii) a bhfuil an oiread sin de mhíchumas meabhrach nó coirp air nach féidir leis le réasún é féin a chothabháil go hiomlán.”;
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in alt 2 in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Ní fhéadfar iarratas go n-eiseofaí toghairm nó próis eile faoin alt seo a dhéanamh ach—
(a) roimh bhreith an linbh neamhdhlisteanaigh ar ina leith a dhéanfar an t-iarratas, nó
(b) laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis bhreith an linbh, nó
(c) i gcás inar thug athair líomhnaithe an linbh cabhair chun an leanbh a chothabháil laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis dáta an linbh a bhreith, aon tráth tar éis an chabhair a thabhairt, nó
(d) i gcás nach raibh athair líomhnaithe an linbh ina chónaí sa Stát ar dháta an linbh a bhreith, aon tráth nach déanaí ná trí bliana tar éis don athair líomhnaithe teacht do chónaí, den chéad uair, sa Stát tar éis an dáta sin, nó
(e) i gcás ina raibh athair líomhnaithe an linbh ina chónaí sa Stát ar dháta an linbh a bhreith ach gur scoir sé de bheith ina chónaí ansin laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis an dáta sin, aon tráth nach déanaí ná trí bliana tar éis don athair líomhnaithe teacht do chónaí, den chéad uair, sa Stát tar éis an scoir sin.”;
(c) trí “dhá chéad punt” a chur in alt 3 (1) (a) in ionad “caoga punt” (a cuireadh isteach le hAcht na gCúirteanna, 1971);
(d) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 3 (5):
“(5) Is ar shlí seachas go poiblí a sheolfar imeachtaí faoin Acht seo.”;
(e) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 3 (6):
“(6) Ní dleathach aon ábhar a bhaineann le himeachtaí faoin Acht seo a thabharfadh go n-aith neofaí na páirtithe sna himeachtaí a chló nó a fhoilsiú ná a chur faoi deara é a chló nó a fhoilsiú.”;
(f) trí ailt 3 (7) agus 9 (2) a scriosadh;
(g) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in alt 3, i ndiaidh fho-alt (9):
“(10) D'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, beidh feidhm ag alt 9 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, maidir le hordú atharthachta faoi réir na modhnuithe go ndéanfar an tagairt i bhfo-alt (4) den alt sin 9 don chreidiúnaí cothabhála a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don duine a ndéanfaí, ar leith ón alt seo, íocaíochtaí faoin ordú a íoc leis de bhua fho-ailt (3) agus (4) d'alt 9 den Acht seo agus déanfar na tagairtí eile san alt sin 9 don chreidiúnaí cothabhála a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don duine ar ar iarratas uaidh a rinneadh an t-ordú atharthachta.”;
(h) trí na hailt seo a leanas a chur in ionad alt 4:
“4.—(1) Tosóidh íocaíocht thréimhsiúil faoi ordú faoin Acht seo ar cibé dáta, nach luaithe ná an dáta a dhéanfar an t-ordú, a shonrófar san ordú.
(2) Gach suim thréimhsiúil is iníoctha ag athair toimhdean faoi ordú atharthachta leanfaidh sí, faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo agus aon athrú a dhéanfar ar a méid faoin Acht seo, de bheith iníoctha go ceann cibé tréimhse a shonrófar san ordú.
(3) Gach suim thréimhsiúil is iníoctha ag athair tiomhdean faoi ordú atharthachta scoirfidh sí de bheith iníoctha nuair a tharlóidh cibé teagmhas de na teagmhais seo a leanas is luaithe a tharlóidh, is é sin le rá:
(a) bás an linbh ar ina leith is iníoctha an tsuim thréimhsiúil sin;
(b) an tsuim thréimhsiúil sin a iomalartú faoin Acht seo trí chnapshuim a íoc;
(c) an tsuim thréimhsiúil sin a fhoirceannadh trí ordú faoi alt 5;
(d) an leanbh sin do shlánú sé bliana déag d'aois, mura rud é, tráth an ordaithe a dhéanamh nó aon tráth dá eis sin sula raibh sé bliana déag d'aois slán ag an leanbh, go mbeidh an Chúirt Dúiche tar éis a mhalairt a ordú mar gheall ar riachtanais oideachais an linbh sin nó mar gheall ar mhíchumas coirp nó meabhrach a bheith air;
(e) an leanbh sin do shlánú bliain is fiche d'aois, i gcás é a bheith ordaithe ag an gCuirt, mar gheall ar riachtanais oideachais an linbh sin, go ndéanfaí íocaíochtaí thar a cheann tar éis dó sé bliana déag d'aois a shlánú.
(4) (a) I gcás ordú atharthachta, cibé acu roimh thosach feidhme an Achta um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, nó dá éis sin a rinneadh é, a bheith urscaoilte ag an gCúirt Dúiche faoi alt 5 den Acht seo nó i gcás íocaíochtaí faoi ordú atharthachta gan a bheith iníoctha feasta de bhua an Achta seo, féadfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche le hordú, aon tráth dá éis sin, d'ainneoin aon ní san Acht seo, a ordú go n-íocfaidh an t-athair toimhdean íocaíochtaí a mbeidh cibé méid iontú, cibé tráthanna agus go ceann cibé tréimhse a shonróidh an Chúirt Dúiche le linn don duine ar chun sochair dó a rinneadh an t-ordú a bheith ina leanbh.
(b) Measfar, chun críocha alt 3 (10) den Acht seo, fho-alt (1) den alt seo, ailt 5 agus 6 den Acht seo agus alt 31 (1) den Acht Uchtála, 1952, gur ordú atharthachta ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(5) Ar athair toimhdean a dhlíonn suim thréimhsiúil a íoc faoi ordú faoin Acht seo d'fháil bháis, rachaidh dliteanas an tsuim thréimhsiúil sin a íoc in astú dá eastát mar fhiach sibhialta agus beidh an tsuim thréimhsiúil sin inghnóthaithe dá réir sin ag an duine lenarb iníoctha í de thuras na huaire.
4A.—(1) I gcás inar dealraitheach don Chúirt ar aon duine do dhéanamh iarratais chuici, go bhfuil mainnithe ag tuismitheoir linbh an chothabháil sin is cuí sna himthosca a sholáthar don leanbh, féadfaid an Chúirt ordú a dhéanamh go n-íocfaidh an tuismitheoir leis an duine sin íocaíochtaí tréimhshiúla chun an leanbh a chothú go ceann cibé tréimhse le linn an duine sin a bheith beo, a mbeidh cibé méid iontu agus cibé tráthanna is cuí leis an gCúirt.
(2) Beidh feidhm i ndáil le hordú faoin alt seo ag na forálacha den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976, a bhaineann le horduithe cothabhála, fara aon mhodhnuithe agus aon oiriúnuithe is gá.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú i ndáil le tuismitheoir linbh faoin alt seo má bhíonn ordú atharthachta nó ordú faoi alt 4 (4) den Acht seo i bhfeidhm á cheangal ar an tuismitheoir sin íocaíochtaí chun sochair don leanbh a íoc nó má bhíonn soláthar déanta don leanbh ag an tuismitheoir sin le comhaontú a mbeidh, tráth éisteachta nó tar éis tráth éisteachta an iarratais ar an ordú faoin alt seo, íocaíochtaí le híoc faoi agus a mbeidh ordú faoi alt 10 den Acht seo déanta i ndáil leis mura rud é—
(a) nach mbeidh an tuismitheoir ag comhlíonadh an ordaithe atharthachta nó an ordaithe faoin alt sin 4 (4) nó an chomhaontaithe, de réir mar a bheidh, agus
(b) nach cuí leis an gCúirt, ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir, sin a dhéanamh,
ach, má dhéanann an Chúirt an t-ordú faoin alt seo, ní bheidh aon mhéideanna iníoctha a bheidh dlite le híoc faoin ordú atharthachta, faoin ordú faoin alt sin 4 (4) nó faoin gcomhaontú, de réir mar a bheidh, ar dháta. ná tar éis dáta, an ordaithe faoin alt seo a dhéanamh.
(4) San alt seo—
forléireofar “Cúirt” de réir alt 23 den Acht um an Dlí Teaghlaigh (Cothabháil Céilí agus Leanaí), 1976.
ciallaíonn “tuismitheoir”, maidir le leanbh, máthair an linbh, athair toimhdean an linbh, nó duine a mbeidh soláthar déanta aige don leanbh trí chomhaontú a mbeidh ordú faoi alt 10 den Acht seo déanta i ndáil leis;”
(i) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in alt 5:
“(3) Déanfaidh Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche, ar iarratas ón duine a dhlíonn suim thréimhsiúil a íoc faoi ordú atharthachta, an t-ordú a urscaoileadh más deimhin leis nach leanbh feasta an duine ar chun sochair dó a rinneadh an t-ordú.”
(j) trí “dhá chéad punt” a chur in alt 6 (1) in ionad “caoga púnt” agus “dhá chéad punt” a chur in alt 7 in ionad “caoga punt” (a cuireadh san alt sin 7 le hAcht na gCúirteanna, 1971);
agus tá na hailt sin 3 (1) (a), 6 (1) agus 7, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
(2) Déanfar na tagairtí in Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930, a dúradh, d'íocaíocht sheachtainiúil a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí d'íocaíocht thréimhsiúil.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 19 (3) (a) d'Acht na gCúirteanna, 1971, trí £15 a chur in ionad £5, agus tá an t alt sin 19 (3) (a), arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TABLA |
(a) má fuair an leanbh san bás roimh an ordú san do dhéanamh sochraide an leinbh sin, fé mar mheasfaidh an Breitheamh iad, chó fada le méid nách mó ná dhá chéad punt, nó |
6.—(1) Ar iarratas fén alt so i dtaobh leinbh thabhartha fé bhun sé mblian déag d'áois go mbeidh suim sheachtainiúil iníoctha mar gheall air an uair sin fé ordú athairíochta, nó i dtaobh leinbh thabhartha de shé bliana déag d'aois go raibh suim sheachtainiúil iníoctha mar gheall air fé ordú athairíoctha díreach sara raibh an aois sin slán aige, féadfaidh Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche a ordú d'athair cheaptha an leinbh sin nó d'ionadaí phearsanta an athar cheaptha san pé suim nach mó ná dhá chéad punt agus a shocróidh an Breitheamh d'íoc chun an leanbh san do chur le céird. |
7—I gcás leanbh tabhartha go ndearnadh ordú athairíochta ina thaobh d'fháil bháis agus suim sheachtainiúil iníoctha mar gheall air fén ordú san, féadfaidh Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúithche, ar a iarraidh sin laistigh de dhá mhí tar éis bháis an leinbh sin don té le n-a raibh an tsuim sheachtainiúil sin iníoctha, a ordú d'athair cheaptha an leinbh sin nó d'ionadaí phearsanta an athar cheaptha san costaisí sochraide an leinbh sin, fé mar mheasfaidh an Breitheamh san iad, d'íoc chó fada le suim nách mó ná dhá chéad punt. |
(a) Ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt Dúiche ordú a dhéanamh faoin Acht sin chun suim sheachtainiúil is mó ná £15 a íoc le haghaidh cothabháil agus oideachas linbh. |
Leasú ar an Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940.
29.—Déanfar na tagairtí i bhfo-ailt (1) agus (7) d'alt 8 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, d'ordú a fhorléiriú mar thagaintí a fholaíonn tagairtí d'ordú cothabhála, d'ordú athrúcháin, d'ordú eatramhach, d'ordú faoi alt 8 den Acht seo (a mhéid a mheastar faoin alt sin gur ordú cothabhála é) nó do threoir faoi alt 9 den Acht seo.
Aisghairm.
1886, c. 52.
30.—(1) Aisghairtear leis seo an Married Woman (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, alt 13 d'Acht na Leanbhaí Tabhartha (Orduithe Athairíochta), 1930, alt 7 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1940, agus alt 18 d'Acht na gCúirteanna, 1971, agus déanfar an tagairt in alt 98 (1) (a) den Acht Cosanta, 1954, d'ordú arna dhéanamh ag cúirt shibhialta faoi alt 1 den Married Women (Maintenance in case of Desertion) Act, 1886, a dúradh, a fhorléiriú mar thagairt d'ordú faoi alt 5, 6 nó 7 den Acht seo nó d'ordú faoi alt 8 den Acht seo (a mhéid a mheastar faoin alt sin gur ordú cothabhála é).
(2) (a) Aon ordú a rinne Cúirt faoi na forálacha a aisghairtear leis an alt seo agus a bheidh i bhfeidhm díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo leanfaidh sé i bhfeidhm ionann is dá mba éard é, agus measfar chun gach críche gurb éard é, ordú cothabhála nó ordú astaithe tuillimh, de réir mar a bheidh.
(b) Aon imeachtaí a tionscnaíodh faoi na forálacha a aisghairtear leis an alt seo agus nach raibh críochnaithe roimh an aisghairm measfar chun gach críche gur imeachtaí iad faoi na forálacha comhréire den Acht seo agus féadfar leanúint díobh dá réir sin.