Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Julie Morgan (Labour) on Friday, 10 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 February 2006. It was answered by James Plaskitt (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Child Support Agency

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions the Child Support Agency breached an order by the Independent Case Examiner to perform a named task by a certain date in (a) 2003, (b) 2004, (c) 2005 and (d) 2006; and what powers the Independent Case Examiner has to enforce its orders to the Agency.
Answer

Following an investigation into a complaint, the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) will prepare a report of her findings for the complainant and the Child Support Agency (CSA). The report may include recommendations for redress to be given by the Agency, such as;"An apology;""assurance;""An explanation;""Specific action to put matters right;""Financial redress; or""A change in process."The Agency will ensure that all recommendations are implemented in accordance with the implementation plans. In circumstances where the CSA is unable to agree recommendations, a full written explanation for the decision will be provided, and an opportunity given for the ICE to discuss the case with the CSA Board should she require.The following table shows the number of recommendations made by ICE, and how many the Agency cleared during the same period. No figures are available for pre-August 2004.

2004 August-December 2005 2006 January
Recommendations made by ICE 722 1,541 80
Recommendations cleared 806 1,484 132
Recommendations cleared within timescales 548 1,194 103
% recommendations cleared within timescales 68 80 78
Notes: 1. The figures above do not include CSA Northern Ireland cases. 2. Multiple recommendations for special payments which are made on the same case, will be counted as one recommendation. 3. The figures above relate to recommendations made following a full investigation by ICE.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
443 c242-3W;443 c242-3W; 51951
Session
2005-06
Related items
Child Support Agency
Monday, 27 February 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Complaints Children Child Support Agency Maintenance Standards Independent Case Examiner
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk