The Government said it was unable to confirm how much child support is owed in Bermuda because of an ageing reporting system.

Emily Gail Dill, the Junior Minister of National Security, told senators in response to questions from Robin Tucker, the Opposition Senate Leader, that 2,745 cases of people being held in default of payments had been heard between 2019 and 2023.

She added that $16.65 million had been collected during that five-year period, while the total sum recovered in the past ten years was $39.7 million

Dr Dill said the system used by the courts in the management of such cases was almost 30 years old and was “no longer supported” by the vendor.

Speaking during the Budget debate on Monday, she said that under the circumstances, the courts had concerns about the individual and total figures included in the results of a report that was carried out.

“Data migrated from previous systems is not reliable,” she said.

“Some court orders once aged out, which means no further payments were due, were not deactivated in the system, meaning that they have continued to accrue.

“It is being investigated whether there may or may not be technical glitches in the calculations in the report, and the current report does not allow for a date range to be entered.”

Dr Dill said that the courts were in the process of procuring a new case management system, which is hoped to be implemented within the next budget year.

“Due to limited resources, currently they have decided it is not cost-effective to address the issues in the present system and reporting functions,” she said.

“However, in the new system, there will be an extensive data-verification exercise such that the new system will be accurate and there will be a suite of reports available to assist with providing information to relevant entities, including Parliament.”

Dr Dill said the department has one enforcement officer focused on the recovery of child support payment in arrears. However, she added that the magistrates also play a significant role in ensuring those who are in default make their payments.

She added that the approved $800,000 investment in a new case management system would aid the courts in collecting the funds owed.

Ms Tucker questioned if the Government had considered measures to crack down on those who fail to make their payments for extended periods of time by not allowing them to renew their passports.

“While I don’t agree with arresting people and throwing them in prison, but I do think there are other ways that we can encourage people to pay, those that are able to but choose not to,” she said.

Dr Dill responded that she could look into what has been put in place by the department, but reiterated that the new management system would help the tracking of cases.

• Are you affected? Let us know, e-mail news@royalgazette.com