Posting on behalf of a friend.

My friend has her daughter Monday-Thursday and is currently in a custody battle to get sunday-friday as she's in pre school soon and starting proper school next year.

This custody battle would've been sorted already but on the first court date the father didn't get a solicitor even though he had 4 months notice, the judge wasn't happy but put the dates back a couple of months to give him time, then second time they were in court he came in with false accusations of abuse and drug use, the judge basically said he doesn't believe that to be the case but said he'll put court back again until October and he'd have TUSLA do a checkup on both houses just to cover everything - she's not a drug addict and her house is spotless so tusla won't be an issue, but it's just she was claiming single parents as he works and claims the child benefit. He's now gone and claimed the single parent payment to leave my friend with nothing. She has to pay rent and bills and pay for food for their daughter but he doesn't care - is there any recourse for this clear harassment or does she just have to suck it up and be poor until court?

Should he owe her maintenance since he's taken her income and she has his child half the week? He's working and claiming all benefits.

Any advice would be much appreciated as we're at a loss.