Budget 2011: Funding for social services boosted

Photo / NZ Herald

Community social services will get a $25 million boost from the Government's Community Response Fund (CRF) in this year's budget.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today said the services were carrying a heavy workload and the funding would go a long way to relieving that pressure.

"We listened to concerns that the fund was due to finish. The effects of the recession were still being felt, so we're putting more funding in for 2011/2012."

There will be three funding rounds throughout next year, with about $8m available for each round.

The CRF was set up in May 2009 to help local social services deal with increased demand as a result of the recession.

Following the latest funding round, a total of $13.9m in payments went out to 339 providers, and $55m to more than 694 organisations, Ms Bennett said.

After September's Canterbury earthquake, a special round was set up for Christchurch social service providers and $4.9m has been given to more than 290 providers so far.

Employment assistance programmes will get a extra $15m, aimed at helping more people into work. This follows an investment of $12.6m in last year's budget.

"As we emerge from the recession, it is imperative people are work-ready as jobs become available," Ms Bennett said.

"So we're continuing to put more funding into employment and training programmes to get Kiwis working."

The funding would go into initiatives including Industry Partnerships, Straight to Work and the skill investment subsidies.

Social development savings total $67m in this year's budget, with another $245m to be reprioritised within the portfolio. Reallocations include $56m of funding that had been ring-fenced for family support services and $45m from under-spending in other areas.

- NZPA