AQW 25047/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 25/03/2025
Answered On Date: 24/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of appeals (i) upheld; and (ii) rejected by the Child Maintenance Appeals Service in each of the last two years.

Revised Answer:

Appeal hearings on maintenance calculation decisions made by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), are dealt with by The Appeals Service (TAS), Department for Communities. All decisions made in respect of an appeal outcome are made by TAS.

CMS provides all relevant material to TAS so a determination can be made, including the provision of presenting officers to represent the Departments position at hearing.

(i) The Appeals Service NI consider Appeals 'Allowed' as an appeal that has been concluded, where the final decision is considered more advantageous (in favour) of the Appellant. 23/24: 5 24/25 (to Feb 2025): 6 (ii) The Appeals Service NI consider Appeals 'Disallowed' as an appeal that has been concluded, where the final decision confirms (in favour of) the original decision made by the Department. 23/24: 25 24/25 (to Feb 2025): 35