Study: Separated fathers in contact more with children

A study of separation agreements made in Irish courts has shown that new forms of shared care are emerging among separated couples.

The study was funded by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and was carried out by the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College in Dublin.

It shows that the majority of children of separated parents still reside with their mothers but fathers are now retaining much more regular contact with their children.

It also revealed that child maintenance payments varied considerably and could be in arrears which exposed children to a risk of poverty.