AQW 25048/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the number of child maintenance appeals lodged with the Child Maintenance Service (CMS); and (ii) the length of time taken to resolve child maintenance appeals lodged with the CMS to their final conclusion, in each of the last two years.
Asked by Sian Mulholland MLA on 25 March 2025
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 25 March 2025
- Answer due by
- 9 April 2025
- Answered
- 24 April 202530 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Appeals on maintenance calculation decisions made by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), are dealt with by The Appeals Service (TAS), within the Department of Justice.
Appeals are lodged directly with TAS. CMS has no authority to accept a request for an appeal. CMS provide administrative support to ensure all relevant material is provided to TAS to make a determination, including the provision of presenting officers to represent the Departments position at hearing.
(i) Valid Appeals Lodged in The Appeals Service NI: 23/24: 58 24/25: 68 (ii) Average Duration in The Appeals Service NI, from Received to Disposed (i.e. to final conclusion of the appeal where a decision has been made and the appellant notified): 23/24: 127.57 Weeks 24/25 (to Feb 2025): 82.52 Weeks