$560,000 Presented To Four Helping Agencies

April 21, 2015

[Updated with video] Earlier today [Apr 21], the Premier and Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley presented cheques totaling more than $560,000 to four of the island’s helping agencies, saying that “through savings realized in this past year’s budget, the Ministry of National Security is able to renew this critical grant funding in support of these organizations.”

The funds were distributed to Salvation Army [$100,000], PRIDE [$182,500], FOCUS [$184,500], and Team Street Safe [$100,000].

At the presentation, Premier Dunklley said, “In good times and bad, it is important that our community has a strong safety net of prevention and treatment services provided by organizations we have come to respect and count on.

“The work of these community partners does not start or end with harsh economic times but is a constant in the continuum of care that our society requires.

Premier April 20 2015

“I am pleased to be joined today by representatives of the Salvation Army, PRIDE, Focus Counselling Services and Team StreetSafe. Each of these entities plays a vital role in some aspect of our social network and promotes productive lifestyle choices. This is work that this Government supports not just in words but also in deeds.

“Very often, the social impact of this difficult economy can get lost in justifiable concerns about debt service payments, cost cutting and greater efficiency.

“The challenge of governing in these times is to strike the necessary balance between fiscal prudence and providing for those most in need of help in our society.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that through savings realized in this past year’s budget, the Ministry of National Security is able to renew this critical grant funding in support of these organizations.”

“Each Department within the Ministry managed their allocated funding in full compliance with Government’s policy of reducing expenditure, if possible, and providing services to the public in a more efficient manner,” added the Premier.

“In some cases, overtime budgets have been significantly reduced; non-essential projects have been deferred; and posts have not been filled either after retirement or as a means by which to realize savings with no detriment to operational effectiveness. I wish to commend these department heads who have managed their budgets under trying circumstances.

“The unique feature of this ministry, which includes the Police, HM Customs and Corrections is that there is a real correlation between this investment in prevention, treatment and intervention.

“If we did not renew these grants, this money would ultimately be spent, as those in need of the services came into contact with the Ministry at varying stages.

“In other words, we either pay now or we pay more later. Cabinet agreed with the wisdom of this approach and it is with the full support of my colleagues that I make this announcement today.

“In closing, I view this is as a win – win for the entire community,” Premier Dunkley said.

“In successive fiscal years this ministry has realized significant savings; in this important year of necessary reductions, each department met the challenge of further cost savings and most importantly, these grants are renewed for this year thereby ensuring these organizations continue to provide the services this community needs.”

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Comments (23)

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  1. The Dark Knight Returns says:

    Smdh. Now I know where my OT is going.

    • Mockingjay says:

      And on Hanbury who gets paid $1000,00 a DAY.
      Would like to see photo opp speak on the $18 Million that disappeared from CoH and the $1 Million in the private Trust Fund.

    • Kangoocar says:

      @dark night, I bet you don’t??? But as always I will help you!!! Your overtime is going to much more worthy causes than paying you!!!!!

    • Serious Though says:

      Helping the community ,

    • Sick & Tired says:

      Hell forget the OT . . .I now know where my furlough money went!!!! SMH!!

    • Mockingjay says:

      Photo op # 1576

    • Mockingjay says:

      Dont forget Hanbury’s $1000.00 a day.

    • Truth (Original) says:

      Govt OT is a scam that has been exploited by many, for many years at the expense of taxpayers.

      The plug has been pulled. Get used to working an honest days work for a honest data pay like everyone else !

  2. Terry says:

    “savings” ?
    Rum all around.

  3. Lois Frederick says:

    Nice to see these organisations getting the support they need in a creative way, to help those in our community that really need assistance in these difficult times.

  4. Rhonda says:

    Who is Team Safe Streets….never heard of them…..nonetheless I have always been against charities that rely on public purse funds…………

  5. San George says:

    Mr. Dunkley and his cohorts are responsible for raising the tax dollars on one hand and on the other can dole them out. Who checks these people?

    There is no separation between the legislative and executive branches in Bermuda.

    Something has got to change in order to change the direction of this country.

    The average person is checked out.

    We have delegated too much power to these people.

  6. Aprreciated says:

    Thankyou OBA for helping these worthy organizations .

  7. Lightbulb!!!!! says:

    What a stupid comment ….

  8. Truth (Original) says:

    Man. So you mean through fiscal responsibility and tough decision making, the Government can put money into worthy causes?

    Who woulda thunk it?

  9. bluebird says:

    @ mockingjay,
    A bus driver with 11hours overtime in one day gets the same as hanbury
    $1000.00 a day.But without Tourism the bus drivers would not have a job.
    The OBA has done a fine JOB of cutting $110Million out of a $330Million borrowing every year without destroying the economy.But this would be above your pay grade to understand besides you work for Government.
    Government still has to come down by $220Million in the next couple of years before we can tackle the HUGE DEBT the previous Administration incurred.

  10. Real talk (original) says:

    “Today, I am pleased to announce that through savings realized in this past year’s budget, the Ministry of National Security is able to renew this critical grant funding in support of these organizations.”

    More Paulanomics. When a country is running a $220m budget deficit, I’m not really sure how this is possible.

    Not knocking the programs, which are all very good initiatives. This is why the public scratch their head at the idea of cutting costs – everytime you look money seems to appear for those initiatives deemed worthy (like the $70m for the Americas Cup) when the reality is that the country is running a huge deficit.

    • Mockingjay says:

      I don’t know why everyone is acting like this is new, these people don’t have the average working class Bermudian at heart, they are a Business minded Party so get over it and try to hold on to what little money you have.
      And all of you who got PLAYED to vote for them, you now are the FOOLS.

  11. Raymond Ray says:

    @ Real talk (original): ‘ccording to da fella, “it’a all come out in da’wash.”
    But allow me to enlighten you to another fact, “money makes money.” And of course, time will tell…

    • Real talk (original) says:

      “Money makes money”…

      Must be why our country is running a $200+ million dollar deficit annually…

  12. Raymond Ray says:

    “The O.B.A. has done a fine JOB of cutting $110 Million out of a $330 Million borrowing every year without destroying the economy” Now, that’s money making money.
    We now have a deficit of $200 + million bucks and who’s to say how much more will be cut from that outrageous debt left on every citizen of these Islands for years to come by the former Government, that has the audacity to take the title of, “Progressive Labour Party” :-(

  13. Pastor Syl says:

    Helping to fund these initiatives helps to reduce the cost of incarceration. I am minded of the old adage, “a stitch in time saves nine.”