AQW 50282/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any work ongoing to review the Child Maintenance Service, including the evidential requirements placed on parents.
Asked by Kate Nicholl MLA on 2 July 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 2 July 2026
- Answer due by
- 21 July 2026
- Answered
- 8 July 20266 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
My Department continues to work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that reforms to the Child Maintenance Service, especially those aimed at strengthening compliance and improving enforcement, are progressed. This is with the aim of ensuring maintenance reaches the children who rely on it.
Reforms to the Direct Pay service that would provide additional protection for victims against domestic abuse and the introduction of Administrative Liability Orders are two significant areas currently under review.
Evidential requirements vary depending on the circumstances of the case and situation. There are no current plans to amend existing evidential requirements.