MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS TRIBUNAL (Number of cases)

Mr Shriniwas Rai asked the Minister for Community Development if he will state the number of cases dealt by the Maintenance of Parents Tribunal.

The Minister for Community Development (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Mr Speaker, Sir, since its establishment on 1st June 1996 until the end of 1998, the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents received a total of 424 applications for maintenance. 152 of these applications were registered in the first seven months of its operation, ie, from June to December 1996. In 1997, the number dropped to 138, and then to 134 in 1998, the following year. As at the end of January this year, the Tribunal received only six applications.

As at the end of 1998, the Tribunal has dealt with 410 or about 97% of the applications. Only 14 applications or 3% of the cases are pending mediation and/or hearing.

Of the 410 cases dealt with, the Tribunal ordered maintenance for 320 applications or about 78% and dismissed 61 applications. The remaining 29 applications or about 7% did not proceed because of withdrawal, death or some other reasons.