Jim O'Callaghan

The calculator was launched yesterday and can be accessed online at www.childmaintenancecalculator.ie.

The new tool follows from the publication in January of Ireland’s first child maintenance guidelines, the development of which was a key recommendation of the 2024 review of the enforcement of child maintenance orders.

The calculator is intended to help make the guidelines more accessible for parents.

Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “I am working to progress significant family justice reforms.

“The launch of this innovative new calculator today, along with the recent publication of child maintenance guidelines, are central to improving fairness, consistency and transparency when parents are making child maintenance arrangements.

“I am confident the guidelines and the calculator will be helpful tools for parents who choose, and for whom it is possible, to make private arrangements for child maintenance between themselves, rather than through the court system.

“They will assist parents in determining fair child maintenance payments, reducing conflict by making the calculation of child maintenance more objective.

“The calculator is available online at www.childmaintenancecalculator.ie and takes four simple steps to obtain an estimated child maintenance amount. I would encourage parents to consult the guidelines and calculator when coming to arrangements on child maintenance.”

Commenting on the launch, leading family law solicitor Keith Walsh said: “This maintenance calculator has the potential to be a game-changer for unmarried parents — however, it is only intended to be a guide. It will encourage the payment of child maintenance and the discussion of child maintenance outside the court surroundings.

“It is very user-friendly, and it is clearly marked that the calculations are only to be used as a guide. It provides a good starting point for parents to start talking about maintenance and for parents — mainly mothers — to get maintenance. Parents should also look at the child maintenance guidelines, which are helpful.”

He added: “However, I am concerned that based on the calculations that I have done using the new child maintenance calculator that the maintenance figures come out a bit low.

“My overall verdict is that maintenance is underestimated on the calculator but it is a good start.

“It needs to be reviewed in six months using the analysis from court decisions — and it is a pity that accommodation costs are not included, as they are a real issue for parents.”