Family Law Cases

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021

Tuesday, 16 November 2021

Questions (388)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

388. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the mechanism for recovering overdue maintenance payments in cases in which the payments on foot of a court order are not being made; the way the creditor can have the payments deducted from a person's social welfare income and processed into theirs; the process and the requirements in terms of court orders; the section of her Department that will deal with an order of this type; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55724/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Issues relating to maintenance orders are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, who has responsibility for the Family Law Acts, which govern maintenance requirements.

If a person was in receipt of maintenance that they are entitled to, following a court order, and has stopped receiving it, that person should contact the Courts Service. The Court on application may make an order directing the Department of Social Protection to deduct specified amounts from the debtor's Social Welfare payments.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.