§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in establishing the child support agency for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HanleyI am pleased to announce that the Child Support Agency for Northern Ireland was established as an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Services on 5 April 1993. The Child Support (NI) Order 1991 gives effect in Northern Ireland to a new system for the provision of child support. Under this system, the agency will have responsibility for the assessment, collection and enforcement of child support maintenance payment in Northern Ireland.
I am certain that the new arrangements will be a significant improvement on the present system, which is fragmented, discretionary and, consequently, inconsistent in setting levels of maintenance. The agency has a crucial part to play in the efficient implementation and effective functioning of these new arrangements. I have delegated full managerial authority for the agency's day-to-day operations to its chief executive. The policy and resources framework of the agency is set out in the framework document, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
In addition, I have set challenging targets for the agency in its first year of operation. These are to achieve the following:
- 60 per cent. of people with the care of children making eligible applications to the CSA to have maintenance arranged;
- annual benefit savings of £12.8 million;
- to manage the agency's resources so as to deliver its business plan within a total budget of £5.1 million;
- 65 per cent. of clients to regard the service as satisfactory;
- to meet a set of milestone targets set by the Minister, which relate to major initiatives.