Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter
ROBINSON
THE GOVERNMENT'S social security policies came under harsh criticism on Tuesday from Shahine Robinson, the Opposition Member of Parliament for North-East St. Ann, who asked for a review of some of the intervention measures.
Mrs. Robinson made the call for a review of the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) during her contribution to the 2005/06 Sectoral Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday.
She noted that while the programme has had some successes, its delivery was cause for concern.
She said that the programme was undersubscribed, as, instead of serving an estimated 236,000 participants, only 180,000 were receiving benefits.
"It is indeed worrisome... It indicates that the programme is not reaching some of the areas where it is badly needed," Mrs. Robinson said.
She said an investigation was needed to determine why some persons have been suspended from the programme.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Robinson also called for a review of the funeral grants programme. She said that oftentimes when requests are made to the Ministry of Social Security for help, the usual response is that there is no available money.
"That is not acceptable. We cannot ignore it either. It is embarrassing to the families who find themselves in this situation. It is embarrassing to us the MPs when we are confronted by it and cannot assist," she said.
"The funeral grant scheme has to be reviewed and additional funding allocated to it," Mrs. Robinson asserted.
The MP for North-East St. Ann also accused the Social Security Ministry of paying scant regard to persons affected by fire in 2004.
