Written answers

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Departmental Reviews

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

973. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the child maintenance review report; if she expects to receive the report by Easter 2022 as previously confirmed; when the report’s recommendations and the Government’s response will be made publicly available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19311/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In line with Programme for Government commitments, the Government established a Child Maintenance Review Group to examine certain issues in relation to child maintenance in Ireland.  The Group was chaired by former Circuit Court Judge Catherine Murphy and included legal, policy and academic professionals as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Justice.

The Group's Terms of Reference were to consider and make recommendations on:

(i) the current treatment of child maintenance payments in my Department;

(ii) the current provisions regarding liable relatives managed by my Department; and

(iii) the establishment of a Child Maintenance Agency in Ireland.

I am pleased to advise that the Group has completed its work and that its report was submitted to me on 22 April.  I would like to thank the Chair and the Group members for their detailed consideration of these important issues.

It is my intention to give the report careful consideration before bringing it to Government and publishing it in due course.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.