Parliamentary Questions

441. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of maintenance orders issued in 2014 for the benefit of a child; the number of cases brought for non-compliance with a maintenance order in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28303/15]

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the tables below provide details of maintenance orders issued in 2014 in the District and Circuit Court, and cases initiated in 2014 in respect of maintenance arrears (Circuit Court only).
Table 1: District Court - Maintenance orders made in 2014

	Number	Comment
Section (5) (A) (2) (Unmarried brought by other)	45	Child only
Section (5) (A) (1) (Unmarried)	3,450	Child only
Section (5) (1) (b) (Married but living apart/deserted)	223	Child only
Section (5) (1) (a) (Married)	1,542	May be for either child or spouse or both
Lump Sum	23	May be for either child or spouse or both

Table 2: Circuit Court - Maintenance orders made in 2014 (children only)

CIRCUIT COURT	Civil Partnership	Divorce	Judicial Separation	Other	Total
Periodic payment to child	2	536	323	35	896
Lump sum payment to Child	0	30	14	2	46

Table 3: Maintenance Arrears: Cases initiated in 2014 in District Court

Recovery of Arrears - Attachment of Earnings	262
Recovery of Arrears - Arrears Summons	2,833
Reciprocal Jurisdiction - Recovery of Arrears	48
Non-Reciprocal Jurisdiction - Recovery of Arrears	9

Note: Information is not available as to whether cases initiated are in respect of children only, spouse only or child and spouse.