Not getting paid for work done.

[tobyw]

Hi. I live in Southern Ireland and I could do with some advice.
My daughter got married last October to a small builder. Because of the economic climate they are struggling to survive. My son in law is owed a lot of money for work done and is finding it almost impossible to get what he is owed. One debt goes back 7 years which amounts to 40 thousand euro. The man refused to pay. My son in law went to a solicitor and needed a report from a quantity surveyor. His surveyor developed cancer and is not now available. He had to take out a bank loan to pay workers and suppliers. He is still paying 500 euro a month interest on this loan. He has no chance of getting paid.
Recently he did an insurance job on a house. The owners son who is an accountant has questioned every item. The agreed price for the job was 23 thousand. The accountant has only paid him18k even though he has claimed the full amount from the insurance company. My son in law has now lost money on the job.
You hear a lot about rogue builders but no one gives a thought for the builder. He is a decent hard working honest person who will always return to sort out any problems and will go the extra mile to satisfy people. He has been taken advantage of by heartless dishonest people.
This summer he had the sheriff arrive at his house because he owed tax. There was a hold up in him getting paid for a job and they refused to wait for him to get paid. I bailed him out and he has since repaid me. How come the sheriff cant be sent to the people who refuse to pay?
My daughter is very stressed out at the moment, as I am.
Has anyone any similar experiences, and is there anything to be done about it?
I would appreciate any suggestions.