Cuts to poor assistance may be reversed

Community Affairs
Minister Mike Adam said government officials would meet next week to decide how
they might restore funding to various poor assistance programmes.

At the beginning of the
year, government cut the budget in a number of areas that seek to provide poor
assistance to the elderly, indigent, and disabled; as well as economically
disadvantaged children.

Those included
significant reductions in rental accommodation programmes, support for foster
care, care for elderly and disabled residents, the school lunches and uniform
programme, and the administration of community services.

“The real big one…is a
more than $1 million reduction to administration of community services,” George
Town MLA Alden McLaughlin said. “It is clear to me…that there is a shortfall in
the level of funding that is available for financial assistance in government.”

Mr. McLaughlin, in a
private members motion filed with the Legislative Assembly, asked that the
ruling government to move funds from other areas of its budget to close the gap.
The opposition MLA suggested that government might find the money from executive
expenses provided to the offices of premier and deputy premier.

Specifically, Mr.
McLaughlin referenced the utility bills, as well as a housekeeper paid for by
government on behalf of Premier McKeeva Bush. He also noted the purchase of a
new SUV made with public funds for Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor Connolly.

“(These expenses) truly
create a great deal of ill will…toward all of us who hold elected office,” Mr.
McLaughlin said.

Without speaking to where
specific funds might come from to boost poor relief, Mr. Adam told the assembly
that Cabinet members would consider supplementary appropriation proposals next
week.

“I am acutely aware of
the needs of our most vulnerable,” Mr. Adam said.

Please see more in next
week’s editions of the Caymanian Compass…