HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):THE BERMUDA government is chasing more than US$13 million from deadbeat parents who have failed to keep up with child support payments.
Figures released by government showed that, while payments totalling US$4.3 million were made by parents in the first seven months of this year, a whopping US$13.1 million was still owed by over four thousand parents.
Nearly 700 of those owe more than US$5,000.
Records showed that last year more than 30 deadbeat dads were jailed for failing to make child support payments while 91 parents were locked up in 2003 for the same offence.
A government spokeswoman confirmed that officials were now examining how the system of collections could be improved.
"The Minister of Justice has an inter-ministry committee looking at how the arrears can be reduced, and the system of collections improved. Those involved include Transport, Labour and Home Affairs, Court Services and Corrections," the spokeswoman said.
BROKEN PROMISE
But Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Dunkley, described the statement as "yet another broken promise by this government".
Dunkley said that he first raised concerns about the growing debt 18 months ago, and was given assurances by government that ways in which collections could be improved would be examined.
The opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) deputy leader said the island's children were suffering because the government lacked the will to fix the problem.
"I was very concerned about this and it's just another area that is very frustrating. We hear lots of well-meaning promises and good intentions, but then nothing gets done. It's a huge problem, but not one that is difficult to fix. All it takes is will and determination," Dunkley said, noting that the system broke down because court orders were not followed through.
"Locking people up for non-payment also makes no sense. They might have had a job before and if we send people to prison they're going to end up with no job."
