Robert Hart, Staff ReporterMINISTER OF Development, Dr. Paul Robert-son, said yesterday that strict controls will this year be placed on the allocation of benefits under the Social and Economic Support Programme (SESP).
The changes are part of reforms the SESP Unit has been undertaking 'to improve efficiency and transparency in meeting its stated objectives'.
The Development Minister, who was opening the 2004/2005 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, said a new targeting mechanism will be introduced to ensure that assistance under the SESP is provided only to persons 'who genuinely fall within the ambit of the nationally defined social safety net.'
The Government plans to increase the number of individuals, as opposed to projects, receiving benefits under the programme.
Under the SESP, Members of Parliament are currently allocated sums for discretionary assistance to social programmes within their constituencies. However, the fund has often been branded a virtual 'buy vote' fund, with suggestions that money is distributed along party lines.
NEW COMPUTERISED SYSTEM
During his presentation, Dr. Robertson noted that the new computerised system, expected to become fully operational by September, will be similar to the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). A pilot project is already under way in some of the island's 60 constituencies.
"I appeal to the Members of Parliament, in whose constituencies the pilot is being undertaken, to encourage their constituents to co-operate so that the deadline can be met," Dr. Robertson told members in the Chamber.
In March, Edwin Nugent, Monitoring Officer in the SESP Unit, told The Gleaner that the pilot project would be implemented in South St. Catherine, East Central St. Catherine, Western Kingston and North East St. Ann.
Just two months ago, during a sitting of the House Standing Finance Committee, the Govern-ment drew the ire of several MPs when it was revealed that the SESP allocation for the 2003/2004 fiscal year would be cut by $146 million (32 per cent) to help contain the public sector deficit. The announcement came at the end of a year in which $430 million was allocated to the SESP with each of the 60 MPs slated to receive between $4 million and $5 million for social projects.
Dr. Robertson noted yesterday that consideration for revamping the system was first announced during the Budget debate last year.
