The advertising campaign targets non-resident parents who will not pay child maintenance, in a bid to ensure that money will flow more quickly to children.
Margaret Ritchie said: “More than 12,000 children in Northern Ireland are not getting the correct level of child maintenance. They are often suffering unnecessary poverty. That simply is not fair.”
The campaign is built upon a strap-line: 'Are you robbing your child?'. The Minister stressed the importance of parental responsibility and how the failure of some parents to provide adequate support for their children hurts. She said: “This campaign is about changing attitudes. It is about sending out the simple message that, even though times are tough for many parents, not supporting your children is wrong. I am giving a very clear message to those parents who are not accepting their financial responsibilities for their children that there is no hiding place. We will use all the powers at our disposal to track down those who are determined to avoid or evade paying for their child.”
The Minister said that the powers that the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division have at their disposal allow effective measures to be used against people who deny their children the support that is due to them.
Margaret Ritchie added: “My Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division has replaced the former N.I. Child Support Agency and has been streamlining operations in a more focused way to recover child maintenance payments.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Division (CMED) is part of the Department for Social Development (DSD). On 1 April 2008 CMED replaced the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency.
2. A dedicated website has been set up for the campaign: www.youoweyourchild.info
. The hotline number is 0845 7132020.
3. The Division can and will where appropriate:
● Request that and employer deduct maintenance liability and arrears from a Non-Resident Parents salary, up to 40% of net income;
● Apply to the courts for a liability order which may affect credit ratings;
● Apply to the courts to force property/land to be sold;
● Apply to the courts to have bank accounts frozen;
● Apply to the courts to have a driving licence revoked;
● Apply to the courts for committal to prison.
4. News media enquiries to DSD Press Office on 028 9082 9468, or Joe Livingston on 07920 187938. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
