Senators agreed on legislation yesterday which will see children born out of wedlock being able to receive maintenance payments until they are 18-years-old.

Before the Affiliation Amendment Act 1996 was passed they were only entitled to receive payments until they were 16.

And now those children will also be entitled to receive maintenance payments beyond the age of 18 years if they are attending school or taking part in professional or vocational training.

Government Senate Leader Lynda Milligan-Whyte said the bill removed the bias found in the original act and brought it in line with today's society.

"Whether children are born in or out of wedlock they will be entitled to receive maintenance payments until they are 18 -- not 16 as before.'' She added that this would not be the only amendment to the Act because "we want a comprehensive Act which will deal with the protection of children.'' Senate vice president Norma Astwood (Ind.) called the legislation a "timely change'' which "will help ensure a sizable portion of young people enjoy the rights and privileges of others''.

It was time, she continued, to find "ways to implement legislation that will protect all children''.

Otherwise, she said, the process of dividing children further would be facilitated.

Sen. Neletha Butterfield (PLP) said she was glad to hear that because she wanted to see amendments which would help single fathers.

Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott agreed with her adding that the way single fathers were being treated meant the biased nature of the Act had not been removed.

Fathers of children born in or out of wedlock should also be treated in their own right, he added, saying this was where a lot of frustrations occurred.

They were parents in their own right and not just custodial parents, he said.

Community Affairs Minister Yvette Swan said fathers' concerns fell in her portfolio and she had heard these -- especially in relation to not being allowed equal access to their children.

She explained that it was very important to look at the equality of men and women where the father was concerned.

Sen. Terry Lister said he felt other laws concerning child welfare needed to be looked at -- especially foster parents.

They took care of children and provided good homes for them, but when the time came for the children to go to school their support fell off, he said.

This was when they needed it the most, he continued, and change should be made to ensure they get it so foster parents could continue to break the cycle of disadvantaged children.