As part of ongoing efforts to reform assistance programmes in the territory, the Ministry of Health and Social Development has launched a “fiscal space analysis” to assess the current budget allocated for social protection, government announced.
The analysis, which will receive funding and technical support from the UNICEF Office of the Eastern Caribbean, will also review the feasibility of tapping additional resources to expand the territory’s Public Assistance Programme, according to Government Information Services.
The move is part of a series of measures to enhance the programme coming out of the 2022 Commission of Inquiry report.
Pursuant to the report’s recommendations, the ministry launched an independent review of the social assistance benefits and grants administration system in November 2022 with the help of the Belgium-based Social Policy Research Institute.
That review presented several suggestions for enhancing the Public Assistance Programme, according to Tasha Bertie, the ministry’s acting permanent secretary.
Since then, she said, the ministry has facilitated amendments to the Public Assistance Act, which were passed in the House of Assembly in early July to pave the way for other reforms.
“We are looking to put in place more streamlined processes, clear eligibility criteria, and improved service delivery to vulnerable persons and those struggling to meet basic living necessities,” Ms. Bertie said, adding, “In light of the potential consequences of these reforms to our public assistance package, the ministry has undertaken a comprehensive economic analysis to examine how the government can support the recommended programme enhancements.”
Researchers
The “fiscal space analysis” is being conducted by global consultancy firms Genesis Analytics, which is headquartered in South Africa, and SHEER Research & Advisory, which is headquartered in Oxford in the United Kingdom, according to government.
The review leaders are SHEER economist Dr. Manal Shehabi and regionally based researcher Kendra Butler. The consultancy is scheduled to conclude in October.
The consultants have already met with stakeholders across the public service and other entities to collect data and gather input on how the Public Assistance Programme can be improved, according to Ms. Bertie.
Moving forward, she said, a comprehensive review of the programme and other areas relevant to public assistance over a five-year period will be conducted.
“This thorough analysis will enable us to recognise trends, make predictions, and provide robust recommendations for the programme’s future,” Ms. Bertie added.
Assistance programme
The Public Assistance Programme, which was established by the Public Assistance Act 2013, provides financial support and in-kind assistance to low-income residents and households based on means testing, according to government.
“The programme also offers referrals to partnership programmes for families dealing with issues such as chronic unemployment, disability, homelessness or addiction, prioritising the territory’s most vulnerable, including children, seniors over 65, unemployed individuals and persons with severe disabilities,” government stated.