Social welfare schemes Lynda assures commitment with aim of increasing allowances
IT is a commitment of the coalition Government to review social welfare allowances with the aim of increasing it, says Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya.
This was her response to questions raised by the media on whether discussions were held to determine an increase in social welfare allowance.
“We are now into the second half of the financial year and it will be presented by my ministry to Cabinet,” Ms Tabuya said.
“If it is something that will be implemented, it will most likely be in the new financial year because the allocations in the budgeting for this year have been done.”
She added that she was proud and she fully supported the $200 backto-school initiative for families in need.
“This initiative actually helps my ministry to supplement what we’ve already given for families in need.
“That already is a form of an increase so to speak of this allowance for those of our recipients who are already under the threshold of $50,000 – so this will assist them in terms of their need to help their children for back-to-school.”
Ms Tabuya urged parents and guardians to prioritise their children’s needs with the back-toschool initiative.
“I respect the privacy and the dignity of every individual and we, as a ministry, respect the choices made by parents with regards to this assistance.
“We do ask on behalf of the citizens that live in your home and that is, your children who depend entirely on you as parents to take care of them. We appeal on behalf of them as the Ministry for Children and as the Minister for Children to please prioritise your children and their back-to-school needs and to please keep them safe during these holidays.
“If we as adults could be more mindful of our children in our custody and care and that we aim to prioritise them with this school assistance even by the Government, which is a great initiative, so that their welfare is paramount and that their needs are paramount.”