The contents of paternity test kits are being sent to a laboratory in Malta from Ireland and the results are known within two weeks. There are no private laboratories in Ireland where DNA can be tested at the request of an individual.

There are now about 2,000 tests carried out in the Republic of Ireland every year, according to DNA Ireland, Nicola Cooke wrote. Last year the figure was 1,500; in 2004 around 1,200 tests were carried out.

While the tests carried out in clinics are described as a “legal” paternity test, a “curiosity” home-kit test can also be purchased at the clinic, by telephone order, or over the internet, for e300.

Each kit has a swab for the mother, father, and child. Swabs are collected by placing an “elongated cotton bud” into the mouth and rotating it around the cheek for 20 to 30 seconds, so DNA cells from this area can be collected.

The swabs are left to dry and returned to the clinic.

DNA Ireland was set up by microbiologist Lucy Hooper last January; the company processes three to four tests every week. “We are new to the market but this area is definitely growing,” said Ms Hooper. ‘‘One in three children are now born outside wedlock, and in some cases people want to be 100 per cent sure who the mother or father is. Of the clients I deal with, the case is 50:50 of who has asked – or taken out a court order – for the test.