The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday hailed the 2020-2021 Budget’s expanded $140m social safety net as “an unprecedented measure for an unprecedented time”.

Frankie Campbell, minister for social services and urban development, told the House of Assembly during his Budget debate contribution: “I’m proud that this government has allocated some $86m in direct support, with nearly $60m allocated to the current fiscal year for social services assistance directly related to COVID-19. This expands the social safety net to some $140m in the wake of COVID-19.”

He added that the Government had allocated some $10m in the 2019-2020 supplementary budget to providing Hurricane Dorian-related assistance for Abaco and Grand Bahama.

“The department of social services budget allocation for 2019-2020 was $39.091m. To date we have spent $33.673m,” Mr Campbell said. “We have some bills outstanding, and we are sure we are going to spend the entire budget. We are comfortable we will be able to go back for some additional money. This is aside from the $10m set aside for Dorian.”

Responding to criticism that the needs of many applicants seeking social services assistance have not been met, Mr Campbell said it “would not have been for lack of funds.” He added that problems may have arisen due to the red tape and bureaucracy within the Government, while applicants may not have followed the proper protocols or provided all requested information.

Turning to the new social services online portal, called “promise”, he said: “This system is user friendly to clients, who can apply online for various programmes. It provides current information on the ministry’s and department’s activities and programmes. It can track applications where clients can lodge complaints. It can appeal the outcome of applications if they are confirmed.

“The system will prevent the duplication of services. It is the core of this duplication which, in many instances, would have caused some delay, because we had to ensure that persons were only getting what it is they are entitled to and eligible for, as opposed to persons just getting it because it is there and then, when the person who is in real need goes up, there is nothing left.

“This system will generate statistics and reports and, among other features, will modernise the department of social services.”