Child Support Act "needs monitoring"

THE LAW Society's Family Law Committee is renewing its call for the Government to establish a committee monitoring the operation of the Child Support Act and the agency which it established.

The call comes in evidence submitted by the the society to the House of Commons Social Security Committee which is conducting a second inquiry into the Act. The society claims the agency's performance "continues to be unacceptable" and says a monitoring and advisory body is needed.

"The agency is too slow to make assessments, makes incorrect assessments, fails to pass money collected from one party to the other, fails to keep parties informed," it says.

"In order to ensure that the agency's performance improves, constant monitoring will be essential."