§ Ms Rosie WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to publish details of the targets for the Child Support Agency; and if she will make a statement. 43347]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe Child Support Agency will publish its 1998–99 Business Plan and Strategic Plan 1998–2001 today. Copies will be placed in the Library.
The targets that I have set for the Child Support Agency for 1998–99 are as follows:
15.8 million of maintenance to be collected or arranged for direct payment from absent parents to parents with care.97 per cent. of payments made to parents with care to be made within 10 working days of receipt from the absent parent.
The cash value of all assessments checked in the year to be correct in at least 75 per cent. of cases.
Where a client is dissatisfied with a child support officer's decision and requests a review; 80 per cent. to be cleared in 13 weeks.
65 per cent. of new maintenance applications to be cleared within 22 weeks and as at 31 March 1999 no more than 0.5 per cent. of work outstanding to be over 52 weeks.
To manage the Agency's resources so as to deliver its Business Plan within the gross budget allocation as adjusted during the course of the year, this includes the administration of the Belfast CSAC.
The targets in the Business Plan present the Agency with a challenging but attainable objective which should lead to improvements both in client service and in the maintenance flowing between parents.