Dalsan.
PRESS RELEASE - On the heels of the launch of a National Social Protection Policy (NSPP), the Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment has received support from the World Bank to streamline the implementation of Social Safety Net Reform.
This Non-Lending Technical Assistance (NLTA) through the Rapid Social Response Trust Fund has provided for a consultant, Dr. Lorraine Blank to guide discussions and provide advice to the Government of Saint Lucia on further developing elements of the Phased Intervention Strategy of the NSPP.
Minister for Community Empowerment the Honourable Harold Dalsan said “Not too long ago we launched our Social Protection Policy. Enshrined in that policy is the initiative to improve the social services that the ministry provides. Two of these key services are the Public Assistance Programme and the Koudmein Sent Lisi programme.”
Dr. Blank will prepare and carry out an analysis for the development of the minimum standards and community standards to be implemented as part of the Social Safety Net Reform.
The final product will include suggestions for a list of minimum standards and community standards, and an estimate of costing and suggestions on how each standard could be measured and monitored.
“One of the greatest concerns for me with respect to the Public Assistance Programme is the way our beneficiaries receive the allowance. I believe that the current delivery mechanism where people line up at the town hall should be phased out into a more dignified cash transfer method,” Minister Dalsan said.
A critical part of the NLTA is to work with the Government to analyze the operational elements of the Public Assistance Programme in order to reform and improve the PAP.
“The Ministry’s mandate is to empower people- so whatever we do that must be factored in. For example through the PAP, if we create the avenue to allow (physically able) beneficiaries to access ATMs in receiving their stipends- that in itself to me is one step of empowerment. So these are the kinds of issues we would like to factor into the disbursement apparatus, so that the process encourages growth; and the psychological impact of that, to my mind, will be nourishing and rewarding for these individuals.”
One area the Government has requested technical assistance in is exploring the possible introduction of co-responsibilities to the cash transfer programme.
Therefore, the consultant will work with the Government to explore different possibilities of co-responsibilities, looking in particular at critical areas including employment, vocational training, and parenting skills to mention a few.
Since May 2012, the Ministry of Social Transformation, Local Government and Community Empowerment has pursued a Social Safety Net Reform agenda, as outlined in the new National Social Protection Policy (NSPP).
This Policy encompasses key principles, policy statements, priority areas and a strategic plan of action.
The objective of the NSPP is to provide a clear framework for enhancing equity, efficiency and transparency in the targeting and delivery of social protection services to reduce poverty and address risks among vulnerable populations in Saint Lucia.