Minister Scott: $36 Million Spent On Assistance

November 14, 2013

The Government has seen an “unprecedented increase in financial assistance and child day care relief” and between January and October 2013 have “spent well over $36 million on assistance,” Minister Wayne Scott said.

The Minister Scott was speaking yesterday [Nov 13] during an overview of some of the initiatives in the recent Throne Speech within the Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports.

He said, “Providing adequate financial relief while tackling a social recovery agenda has been a mammoth task for this Ministry.

“We have seen an unprecedented increase in financial assistance and child day care relief such that, between January and October 2013, this Government has spent well over $36 million on assistance.

“This is approximately $1M less than the previous Government budgeted for with their last budget, and we still have a way to go with this budget year. We understand the need of our People and are committed and have spent the money which shows it.

Speaking about planned new initiatives, the Minister said: “Provisions for Shared Parenting orders that recognize the importance of both parents in children’s lives will be introduced.

“The Ministry also sees the need to strengthen family mediation under the Children Act 1998 by offering mediation as a prerequisite to co-parenting orders rather than as a result of non-compliance with such orders.

He said the Ministry will develop a National Gender Policy which will “establish a framework for including gender perspectives in all activities of Government and society, helping to bring equitable considerations to decision-making that involves the differing needs, constraints and priorities of men and women.”

He also said the Ministry has identified an opportunity to improve by beginning the process of consolidating client data from multiple human services agencies into one information system to increase service delivery efficiency.

“We must ultimately address the underlying societal issues, and not simply keep putting out more funds,” said Minister Scott. “We must begin teaching our people how to fish.”

Minister Scott’s statement follows below:

Good afternoon:

Welcome and thank you for being here today, as we discuss some of the initiatives within the Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports.

In the Throne Speech we shared a few new initiatives, policy and legislative changes that we will introduce during this Parliamentary year.

But first, I’d like to give you some context and statistics which will help to frame the state of affairs that we are dealing with and demonstrate why this Ministry and this Government is committed to a program of Social Recovery. A program that is critical to moving this country in the right direction towards social and economic recovery.

In keeping with the overall theme of the Throne Speech, this Government is committed to assisting families in need of social services and financial assistance. We also want all Bermudians to have access to the jobs that can support their families.

We will continue to work with business, charities and community organizations to provide the support for our people. We are all in this together and we will work collaboratively to get the best results for everyone in need. We will do this while simultaneously working to rebuild our economy.

Providing adequate financial relief while tackling a social recovery agenda has been a mammoth task for this Ministry. We have seen an unprecedented increase in financial assistance and child day care relief such that, between January and October 2013, this Government has spent well over $36 million on assistance. This is approximately $1M less than the previous Government budgeted for with their last budget, and we still have a way to go with this budget year. We understand the need of our People and are committed and have spent the money which shows it.

This type of spending cannot be sustained in the long term. We will implement policies that will streamline our way of doing business and at the same time get the required services to those who are in need in our community. We will address our social recovery through policy changes, prudent fiscal management and new progammes to improve the lives of our people.

I would now like to brief you on a few of our plans for this legislative session.

The Ministry has identified an opportunity to improve its ability to serve clients by beginning the process of consolidating client data from multiple human services agencies into one information system. The Human Services Information System will enable Cross Ministry Teams to be more effective and efficient in their work. This system will facilitate linking disparate human services data for more coordinated and structured decision-making. It will also serve as a common intake portal for clients known to various agencies.

This new way of collecting and sharing data will increase service delivery efficiency, streamline the process, and allow for our clients to get the best possible services in the most affordable and expedient manner. We must ultimately address the underlying societal issues, and not simply keep putting out more funds. We must begin teaching our people how to fish.

Provisions for Shared Parenting orders that recognize the importance of both parents in children’s lives will be introduced. The Ministry also sees the need to strengthen family mediation under the Children Act 1998 by offering mediation as a prerequisite to co-parenting orders rather than as a result of non-compliance with such orders.

The Act will be amended to require courts to order mediation before co-parenting orders are issued in child custody and access disputes. The Ministry will also spearhead efforts to use mediation in ways that shift the consequences for failing to pay child maintenance from prison to more creative solutions that take account of the possible harm to children. We believe these amendments will:

Promote more use of mediation to resolve child custody issues (separation and divorce)
Save on court time and expense and be less adversarial
Use mediation to promote voluntary parental agreements
Use mediation to seek more creative solutions for non-payment of child maintenance
Reduce costs for financial assistance by getting more fathers to support

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation has made significant progress toward the development of a National Sports Policy. A draft National Sports Policy will be forwarded to all stakeholders, including the National Sport Governing Bodies, for feedback. The policy envisions sporting organizations working in partnership toward the goal of sporting success in all areas such as wider community participation, early recognition and development of sporting talent, training and respect for coaches, volunteers and administrators; a world class reputation for hosting international events and a worldwide reputation as a sporting country. We believe this new policy will:

Promote continuum of sport from youth development through Olympic participation
Increase National Sports Centre use for international sporting events
Target international sporting events for sports tourism

The Ministry of Community, Culture and Sports, through the Department of Human Affairs, will develop a National Gender Policy which will establish a framework for including gender perspectives in all activities of Government and society, helping to bring equitable considerations to decision-making that involves the differing needs, constraints and priorities of men and women. During this legislative year we will sign on to the Convention for Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This commitment to affirm CEDAW has been discussed for several years. We intend to join and add Bermuda to the world voices of change and support CEDAW.

In March, we introduced the Community Driven Development programme to help women transition from needing financial assistance to becoming self-sufficient. There were twenty participants in the first cohort of women. I am pleased to report that 10 of these women have enrolled in GED courses and a further 2 have started PACE (Professional and Career Education) courses. The focus is on training unemployed and under-employed people to develop skills and competencies for defined business projects, including preparation of a business plan.

The initiative involves a 4-pronged approach including a) workshops and seminars b) field trips c) education courses and d) volunteer and work shadowing opportunities. In the coming year the Ministry will expand this programme using the same model to involve men on financial assistance.

We are looking forward to working together with our community partners and moving forward to the benefit of us all. This process of social recovery is critical in order to drive better social outcomes for our people.

Thank you.

-

Read More About

Category: All, News, Politics

Comments (13)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. swing voter says:

    36M and way outside of the budgeted amounts….how many of these ‘cases’ are thoroughly investigated to ensure those in need are truly in need. I know a few that are abusing the system.

    • Wondering Why??? says:

      While they’re at it, why don’t they investigate the abuse of the legal aid system? I know of parents (a relative of mine being one of them) whose kids get into trouble, but they claim they live someplace else so they can get legal aid. Yet when it comes time to sign bail, they will run down to the court with all sorts of documents to show they have assets to spring them out of jail. If you have assets to sign bail for your children, shouldn’t you also be required to pay their legal fees? Doesn’t government do any kind of cross-referencing on these matters?

    • Concerned says:

      A few is a minimal number – there are many because of who they know in the department

    • Dejaun says:

      I don’t know what the rules of financial assistance are but if not in place already these should be implemented:

      Drug testing (Those using illegal drugs should not receive financial assistance)
      No travelling while collecting financial assistance
      Provide a financial assistance card linked to an individual as opposed to depositing the money in the individuals account. Make it so you cannot withdraw cash or have a limit set on cash withdrawal for the week/month. Have it so that this card cannot be used for online purchases (travel/shopping), or at specialist designer stores (Louis Vuitton etc), or for alcohol or cigarette purchases.

      Before anyone says I am insensitive:

      I like to get off the rock, I enjoy a drink or a few….

      However, these are luxuries, not necessities.

      At the end of the day, if I was laid off and needed to go on financial assistance I wouldn’t mind those restrictions in return for money to live on. I would certainly try to get a job and not dawdle because I would rather be able to travel and drink. As for those not abusing the system it wouldn’t make a difference once implemented.

      I am not saying it would end the abuse but it should help to significantly reduce it.

      • Brad says:

        I couldn’t possibly AGREE more with you! Spot on!!

      • Agree says:

        Some of the things you’ve listed are already in place Dejuan. Money doesn’t go to the person, they get grocery cards with funds deposited on them, they cannot travel. All in all anyone I’m financial assistance does not get money deposited to a personal account because of people that abides the system. It’s messed up because many people really do need the assistance but have to suffer for the ones who mess it up.

  2. watching says:

    And once they follow through on the likely SAGE commission recommendations, and cut more civil service jobs, there will be even more people in the line in need of financial aid.

  3. This is why the Lamb Foggo clinic is closing down! If u want to eat and pay your bills thats the sacrifice! U pick?

  4. Wondering Why??? says:

    For starters, I strongly feel that single women that apply for assistance should have to use birth control before they are accepted. I know the OBA implemented budgeting and other life skills when seeking financial assistance. I certainly hope family planning is also part of the life skills program.
    It boggles my mind when women that are already struggling with children continue to pop out more kids, often with multiple partners. Women already struggling to provide for what they have, yet they get pregnant time and time AGAIN. I understand it takes two to tango, but these women have to understand it is much easier for the guy to take off and leave you stuck. So why don’t they use their brains and insist on some form of birth control? Then when these guys don’t pink up, or they can’t find them, or they flee to England Joe Public has to support the kids!
    There is one young woman I see daily walking with her 3 children, often screaming at the top of her lungs at the poor little souls. She is struggling as a single parent, and clearly frustrated- but I was shocked to see she is yet again with child!!! Why??? She can’t even take care of what she already has!!!
    Before I get beat up on, let me strongly state that until something is done, we will continue to see generation upon generation of angry youngsters. These angry children become angry adults that go through life with a chip on their shoulder, thus contributing to the social ill Bermuda is now facing.

  5. Concerned says:

    How many of the persons on Financial assistance are former employees of companies that have left our shores and businesses that have closed because of ‘the economic decline’ and how many children attending nursery are children of under 20 (father/mother) and unemployed

  6. Handbag Basher says:

    this is all down to the previous government with its useless and self serving greedy individuals with their gimme gimme gimme anti expat attitude.
    If this Island ever lets in the plp again,you can all kiss your fancy lifestyle,flash cars and boats goodbye.

  7. Next says:

    This is ridiculous. Stop having children if you can’t afford them and A LOT of single mothers don’t even bother to get child support from dead-beat fathers because they know they won’t pay. Why do single mothers have to keep chasing after them and getting behind the courts to do something? Isn’t that their job? They do nothing. Single mothers then have no choice but to ask for assistance. Government needs to do something about this and stop allowing fathers to get off easy and do something about these women popping out multiple kids when they can’t take care of the ones they already have.