Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly
Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly
Written Answers to Questions - Northern Ireland Assembly
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Friday 20 July 2012 <strong>Written</strong> <strong>Answers</strong><br />
I have not yet taken a decision as <strong>to</strong> whether the flat rate maintenance payments for child maintenance<br />
will be increased.<br />
Benefit Cus<strong>to</strong>mers Reported <strong>to</strong> be Sanctioned During the Current Mandate<br />
Mr F McCann asked the Minister for Social Development how many benefit cus<strong>to</strong>mers have been<br />
reported <strong>to</strong> his Department <strong>to</strong> be sanctioned during the current mandate.<br />
(AQW 13524/11-15)<br />
Mr McCausland: 8,300 benefit cus<strong>to</strong>mers were referred <strong>to</strong> my Department for consideration of<br />
applying a sanction from May 2011 <strong>to</strong> date.<br />
Benefit Cus<strong>to</strong>mers Sanctioned During Last Three years<br />
Mr F McCann asked the Minister for Social Development how many benefit cus<strong>to</strong>mers were reported <strong>to</strong><br />
his Department <strong>to</strong> be sanctioned in each of the last three years.<br />
(AQW 13525/11-15)<br />
Mr McCausland: The information requested is not available as it was not routinely recorded prior <strong>to</strong><br />
May 2011. I refer the member <strong>to</strong> written answer given <strong>to</strong> AQW 13524/11-15 in relation <strong>to</strong> the most<br />
recent year.<br />
Benefit Cus<strong>to</strong>mers Sanctioned in Current Mandate<br />
Mr F McCann asked the Minister for Social Development how many benefit cus<strong>to</strong>mers have been<br />
sanctioned by his Department in the current mandate.<br />
(AQW 13529/11-15)<br />
Mr McCausland: 1325 sanctions were imposed on cus<strong>to</strong>mers in receipt of benefit from May 2011 <strong>to</strong><br />
date.<br />
Benefit Cus<strong>to</strong>mers Sanctioned in Last Mandate<br />
Mr F McCann asked the Minister for Social Development how many benefit cus<strong>to</strong>mers were sanctioned<br />
by his Department during the last mandate.<br />
(AQW 13530/11-15)<br />
Mr McCausland: The information requested is not available as it was not routinely recorded prior <strong>to</strong><br />
May 2011.<br />
Payments from Main Contrac<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> Sub-Contrac<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
Mr Copeland asked the Minister for Social Development <strong>to</strong> detail (i) how housing associations moni<strong>to</strong>r<br />
payments from main contrac<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> sub-contrac<strong>to</strong>rs that are working on new build social housing<br />
developments; and (ii) the consequences if a main contrac<strong>to</strong>r does not pay a sub-contrac<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
(AQW 13531/11-15)<br />
Mr McCausland: Housing Associations moni<strong>to</strong>r contrac<strong>to</strong>rs’ performance through the use of<br />
Constructionline, inspections of contracts by Clerk of Works and by holding monthly site meetings with<br />
all key stakeholders including sub-contrac<strong>to</strong>rs and suppliers. It is not incumbent upon any Association<br />
<strong>to</strong> directly moni<strong>to</strong>r the work or payment of sub contrac<strong>to</strong>rs as the Association is not a party <strong>to</strong> these<br />
domestic sub-contracts.<br />
Part 4 of the Department’s Housing Association Guide, requires Housing Associations <strong>to</strong> operate a<br />
prompt payment policy (current Departmental guidance requires payment <strong>to</strong> be made within 30 days)<br />
<strong>to</strong> all contrac<strong>to</strong>rs and subsequently requires all contrac<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> make prompt payments <strong>to</strong> their subcontrac<strong>to</strong>rs.<br />
Compliance with this guidance is checked as part of the Department’s Inspection Process.<br />
However, there is no legal liability on Housing Associations <strong>to</strong> enforce the prompt payment provisions in<br />
any sub-contract.<br />
WA 626