S. 92 Law Reform (Marriage & Divorce) Act 1976 places the responsibility of maintaining a child on either parent.  However, it will become the duty of the father to maintain a child (S.93 of the Act), if he refused/neglected reasonably to provide for the child he deserted his wife & child during the determination of a divorce proceedings  when making or subsequent to making an order to place the child in the custody of another Take note that the court can award the mother to contribute towards the  maintenance of the child if the court is satisfied that the mother is able to do so.