I am pleased to announce the appointment of Janet Paraskeva as the Chair Designate of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. Her appointment will take effect as from 19 November 2007. Janet Paraskeva brings extensive experience to this role from her time as Chief Executive of the Law Society, Director of the National Lottery Charities Board and as Chief Executive of the National Youth Agency. She is also currently the First Civil Service Commissioner.

Subject to the passage of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission will have responsibility for the future Child Maintenance system. The Commission's key objective will be to get more money to more families, helping to lift more children out of poverty.