In Confidence

Office of the Minister for Social Development Cabinet Extreme Weather Recovery Committee

 

Continuing to respond to immediate needs for communities and community providers impacted by recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle

Proposal

 

1               Following the $11.5 million support package recently provided for communities and community providers as part of the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle response [CAB-23-MIN-0023 refers], I seek Cabinet agreement to the following fiscally neutral additional changes, equalling a further $2.5 million in supports:

 

1.1          further investment for the Food Fund ($2 million)

 

1.2          approval for Disability providers in impacted regions with Care in the Community Disability funding remaining to support cyclone and flood impacted as well as COVID-19 impacted households

 

1.3          increasing the caps of the Community and Provider funds included in the original $11.5 million communities’ package, and

 

1.4          Short term translation support for All-of-Government engagement ($0.5 million).

 

Relation to government priorities

 

2               This proposal aligns with a 2020 Labour party Manifesto commitment to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand’s emergency management systems are geared towards an inclusive, community-led response to natural disasters.

 

Executive Summary

 

3               On 13 February 2023 Cabinet agreed to a $11.5 million fiscally neutral package, using Care in the Community welfare programme underspends, with five funds to support communities and providers in Auckland and other regions impacted by recent flooding, until 30 June 2023.

 

4               This package was agreed in response to the Auckland floods, and at the time the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle was unknown. Given the uncertainty at the point of designing the package, settings were intended to spread the funds available across as many community groups and providers as possible.


5               Further changes are required to the package to meet demand. In particular, further immediate support is required for the food fund and disability support as these funds are forecast to be exhausted in the week beginning 6 March 2023. I therefore recommend Cabinet make the following changes:

 

5.1          further investment for the Food Fund ($2 million); and

 

5.2          approval for Disability providers in impacted regions with Care in the Community Disability funding remaining to support cyclone and flood impacted as well as COVID-19 impacted households.

 

6               We now also know the caps placed on the Community fund ($3,500) and the Provider fund ($7,000) has limited access and does not cover the extent of support required. I therefore recommend Cabinet:

 

6.1          Increase the cap for the Community fund from $3,500 and set this as a range from $3,500 - $20,000; and

 

6.2          Increase the cap for the Provider fund from $7,000 to $40,000.

 

7               I also seek agreement to $0.5 million for short term translation support for All- of-Government engagement.

 

8               This increased investment of $2.5 million will be sought through MSD underspends.

 

Background

 

9               In January and February 2023 significant disruption was caused by flooding to communities in the Upper North Island. In response to this, on 13 February 2023 Cabinet agreed to a $11.5 million fiscally neutral package, using Care in the Community welfare programme underspends, with five funds to support communities and providers in Auckland and other regions impacted by recent flooding, until 30 June 2023 [CAB-23-MIN-0023 refers]. This package includes five supports:

 

9.1          Community Support Fund ($2 million). This funding allows community groups who are in the affected areas (who are not contracted by government) to maintain their response and recovery efforts so they can continue to support whānau wellbeing. Funding is capped at $3,500 per community group.

 

9.2          Community providers response and wellbeing fund ($4 million). This fund is for providers supporting communities affected by the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle. Providers are considered those who are contracted by government in the social sector, including those funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Te Puni Kokiri, Ministry for Ethnic Communities and the Department of Internal Affairs for community providers providing immediate relief to affected communities and whānau. Funding is capped at $7,000 per community provider.


9.3          Food fund ($4 million). This fund supports existing community food providers to refill their stocks and respond to current demand in communities affected by the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle.

 

9.4          Addressing the needs of disabled people ($0.5 million). This funding was ringfenced to address the welfare needs of the disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and/or their households to access support for immediate and unexpected needs due to the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle. This dedicated funding to support disabled people is in addition to the funding that is outlined above, and which is available to organisations who are supporting disabled people.

 

9.5          Community Connectors ($4 million). In addition to those impacted by COVID-19, Community Connectors have been supporting to those affected by the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle. Discretionary funding of $4 million was committed for Connectors to provide this support, which is capped at $1,000 per household impacted by the flooding events. Community Connectors are also helping impacted households access government supports and services and navigate insurance processes.

 

10            The most recent weekly dashboard on the allocation of these funds, provided by MSD, is included in Appendix A. As at 3 March $3.61 million of this $11.5 million package has been committed.

 

11            In addition to this package of support, $56.583 million Civil Defence Payments have also been made to 101,850 people. The more affected areas continue to be the areas where demand is highest, including the Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Gisborne, and Northland.

 

Further need has been identified in response to the impacts of the recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle

12            The $11.5 million package was agreed in response to the Auckland floods, and at the time the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle was unknown. Given the uncertainty at the point of designing the package, settings were intended to spread the funds available across as many community groups and providers as possible.

 

13            We now know that the extent of the damage from Cyclone Gabrielle is extensive. Whole communities have been devastated throughout the top half of the North Island and East Coast, as well as parts of Auckland, especially Auckland west. Hundreds of people have lost their homes and essential infrastructure such has roads has been severely damaged. Businesses have also been hard hit.

 

14            As a result of increased demand the food fund and ring-fenced funding to address the needs of Disabled People fund is forecast to be exhausted in the week beginning 6 March 2023.


15            In addition, in order to better support providers in the flood and cyclone response an All-of-Government Contract Flexibility Framework for Supporting Providers Impacted by North Island floods and Cyclone Gabrielle has now been endorsed. This supports Agencies to be more consistent in the flexibility they grant social sector service providers to support their communities and that flexibility be proportionate to the degree of impact in that community. This model was successful as part of the response to COVID.

 

16            However more is needed in order to get adequate funding to providers and community groups to support with the response.

 

17            We also know that needs will continue to arise as the response continues. For example, it is anticipated that there will be a spike in family violence post the initial response phase. MSD is engaging with strategic partners and monitoring reporting on this, including remaining connected through Te Puna Aonui.

 

Some immediate changes are needed to this package

18            I am therefore proposing a number of changes to the $11.5 million package in order to continue to respond to immediate needs of those impacted by the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.

 

Increase the Food Fund by $2 million

 

19            The primary requests for support from communities affected by the Cyclone has been food. Further funding is required to fulfil the purpose of the current scope of the fund, i.e., providing further grants to community food providers in the most impacted regions and bulk purchasing of food for community food distribution. Bulk purchasing creates efficiencies and maximises the impact of public funding, and ensures providers are less likely to be putting extra strain on already stretched supermarkets.

 

20            As part of the active response phase, Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) provide food support, as CDEM move to a transition phase food response returns to BAU funding mechanisms. As of Monday 6 March CDEM active response remains in place only in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay. Additional funding for food via MSD will ensure a smoother transition out of CDEM-led response to the community-led response.

 

21            NZ Food Network are working through any logistical challenges to get food to providers in affected regions, and we have been able to deliver food to all affected regions. MSD are also funding providers directly so they can purchase food in their closest retailer. The money for the food fund covers addressing any logistical challenges.

 

22            I am therefore proposing an additional $2 million be put towards food funding. This will be split between direct funding for community food providers and bulk procurement of essential food supplies through the New Zealand Food Network. Based on the current need, i am advised this should last until early April.


Allow disability providers in impacted regions with Care in the Community Disability funding remaining to support cyclone and flood impacted households

23            The disability fund is also estimated to be exhausted in the week of 6 March. As of 6 March this fund has committed $455,250 of the $500,000 fund.

 

24            I am proposing to response to this by allowing disability providers in impacted regions with Care in the Community Disability funding remaining to support cyclone and flood impacted as well as Covid impacted households. The ability for providers to use this funding will allow them to begin to meet this immediate additional need of the disability community.

 

25            There are up to 38 providers in impacted regions each granted up to $50,000 through Care in Community funding, and some will have remaining funds that can be utilized to support disabled people affected by both Covid-19 and the recent floods and cyclone.

 

26            As part of this $11.5 million package there are currently four disability providers (funded by MSD) contracted to support the disabled community in impacted regions through the existing package. An additional three CiC disability providers in impacted regions have proactively asked if they can expand their scope to include supporting those affected by the floods/cyclone using their CiC disability funding.

 

27            If the scope change for CiC disability providers is approved, MSD will proactively contact all providers who received CiC disability fund in the impacted areas to assess their interest, capacity and amount of funds remaining.

 

28            The types of support CiC disability providers are currently providing to the disabled community includes ramps, technology, support/respite care, transport assistance, payment of assessments to enable disabled people to access transport, funding internet/phones, and enrolment in holiday programmes. The types of support cyclone and flood response providers are currently providing the disabled community include supporting with the purchase of and fuel for generators for disabled people dependent on devices and refrigeration, replacement of specialty food, mobility and transport assistance, replacement of equipment/toys etc for autistic children.

 

29            Increasing the scope of all CiC disability providers in impacted regions will create greater capacity to support more disabled people than is currently possible with only four providers.

 

I also recommend the caps placed on the Community and Provider funds are increased

 

30            So far, over 250 individual community groups or providers have been supported by the Community and Provider funds. Distribution of the Community and Provider funds have been slower than anticipated, however, for two key reasons:


30.1       community providers and groups are in the middle of a response, and have limited time to understand what is available and complete applications and/or may have connectivity constraints; and

 

30.2       the caps placed on these funds ($3,500 for the Community fund and

$7,000 for the Provider fund) has limited access, and does not cover the extent of support required.

 

31            MSD are proactively reviewing and streamlining the application process to enable providers and community group to access the support package more easily. Regional teams and Relationship Managers in the impacted regions are actively working with organisations to assist them with the application process. MSD is also working closely with other agencies including TPK, MPP and MEC to ensure organisations are getting access to the support package.

 

32            While MSD is taking immediate actions to distribute the money more quickly through the Community and Provider funds and boost awareness of the funding package, many of the organisations that can apply for the funds have done so already.

 

33            A number of providers have raised concerns about the current cap limiting their ability to respond adequately to the cyclone and flood response. Some providers are making additional applications, and are noting in their applications that the funding available will not meet the needs they are addressing.

 

34            For the Provider fund in particular, most organisations who have applied for the Provider fund have requested the maximum allowed by the cap. However, we believe this is not indicative of the level of need. Of the providers who have requested more (29 out of the 150 providers) the range has been from

$7,500 to $450,000 with the average being $40,000. If MSD currently had the ability to approve all requests that had been submitted for the fund, we would have already committed $1.4 million to providers.

 

35            I have been clear in my expectation that the community and provider fund are intended to be the main source of funding for all providers and community groups, irrespective of which other government department they may usually be affiliated with. For example, Whānau Ora providers, ethnic community groups etc.

 

36            There is therefore now a greater need to allow communities and providers to receive larger amounts of support from this package based on need and the extent of damage. Examples of larger requests that have come through that would likely meet a $40,000 threshold include:

 

36.1       applications from providers are large organisations (that represent over 50 FTE) who are providing services across regions so have a bigger reach across whole or multiple regions, such as Auckland and Northland, Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, and into remote and isolated areas. A contribution of $7,000 of does not go far in contributing to their


reach as they are also reaching out to assist families and communities who have yet to receive or seek support;

 

36.2       additional workforce to meet immediate needs of community;

 

36.3       additional costing for essential goods and accommodation across wide areas in the affected regions for a prolonged period of time;

 

36.4       organisation utilities cost and fuel including cost for infrastructure, ie. Generators;

 

36.5       funding for transport cost to enable access to services, school, and medical appointments; and

 

36.6       community based initiatives like out of school care programmes and initiatives that keep up moral.

 

37            I am therefore proposing to increase the cap for the Provider fund from $7,000 to $40,000.

 

38            Increasing the cap will allow for the existing funds to be distributed at a faster rate. Some of these organisations have requested more than what the current cap allows to keep meeting the needs of their communities. The $40,000 cap also aligns with the MBIE supports that has recently been announced for businesses in the affected regions, better ensuring equity between supports available not-for-profit and for-profit organisations.

 

39            Regarding the community fund, on average, MSD has received applications from community groups up to a value of $38,500 and an average of $16,000. These applications usually include funding for things like:

 

39.1       Emergency equipment and appliances damaged by the flooding and cyclone e.g. freezers, fridges, generators, emergency shelters, safety gear and equipment;

 

39.2       Supplies and resources for repairs to housing e.g. roofs, damages, and clean up;

 

39.3       Laptops, devices, phones so children, communities and groups can continue with schooling, providing services; and

 

39.4       Counselling and wellbeing programmes for Community group staff and volunteers.

 

40            Two types of provision are emerging from Community groups responding to the needs in the affected area. One is providing individual needs in localised area (for example, providing welfare needs for a whānau that has been displaced by the Cyclone) and the other is initiatives that help the collective recovery of the community, for example, a Community hub for ethnic communities.


41            Based on the applications received so far and the average amount requested, an increase to a $20,000 cap will better meet the immediate needs of community groups supporting the response in the short term.

 

42            I am therefore proposing to increase the cap for the Community fund from

$3,500 and set as a range from $3,500 - $20,000. Increasing the cap will allow for the existing funds to be distributed at a faster rate and better reflect the types of needs identified by community groups.

 

43            MSD will proactively work with those who have already received funding to ensure they can access up to the new cap for their organisation for both the provider and community fund.

 

Short term translation support for All-of-Government engagement

 

44            Officials to date have repurposed existing resource to engage with Pacific and ethnic communities impacted by the recent weather events, and ensure that information and support is available in a wide range of languages:

 

44.1       The Ministry for Ethnic Communities has produced and disseminated information to communities on how to access interpreting services when calling government services

44.2       The Ministry for Pacific Peoples have been hosting regular fono for Pacific community leaders, and have redeployed staff knowledgeable in Pacific languages to the Hawkes Bay to assist with interpreting.

45            This is in addition to the work done by The National Emergency Management Agency to produce information sheets on what support is available in 24 languages.

 

46            It has been identified, however, there is a remaining gap in the All-of- Government communications and coordination response that requires short- term support. While alternative communication packages for disabled people are underway and are being delivered through MSD baselines, additional support is needed for Pacific and other languages.

 

47            We know from our experience in the COVID-19 pandemic that ensuring our response and interventions are delivered across the nine Pacific languages, and a wide range of other languages helps minimise the impacts of hardship and crisis for Pacific and ethnic communities. In the evacuation centres, there continues to be a pressing need for Pacific interpreters to provide support. In the Hawkes Bay, where close to 700 Recognised Seasonal Employment workers are currently in evacuation centres, this need is critical and beyond what the Ministry for Pacific Peoples’ staff can or should provide. There are also translation availability gaps with regard to some of our other communities.

 

48            The current government provider is at capacity with requests from agencies for rapid translation support. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples has also been receiving high volumes of requests from both agencies and Pacific communities for translated information and is at capacity. Ethnic communities


collectively speak 170+ languages and represent 200+ ethnicities and funding is needed reduce language barriers to enable ethnic communities access government support.

 

49            I therefore recommend that $0.5 million in additional funding is provided for short term translation support for All-of-Government engagement. Funding will be used for the following activities:

 

49.1       An All-of-Government Pacific engagement campaign to increase engagements via the current channels and coordinate targeted engagements across government to support the dissemination of information into hard-to-reach Pacific communities. The funding will ensure that up-to-date and relevant information about the immediate response and recovery are readily available to target groups such as Pacific churches, community-based groups, businesses and community leaders;

49.2       Interpreter support, including within evacuation centres where there is a critical need for translation support. This funding would also include financial support for community members who have volunteered their services to fill this gap; and

49.3       Translation and distribution of additional key information in a wider range of languages, for example, Ministry for Ethnic Communities has produced and disseminated information to communities on how to access interpreting services when calling government services. This funding will purchase translation support to provide for translated information to be disseminated, as well as ongoing translated updates (that could include support information for Cyclone related family/sexual violence services and information). Information would be developed and disseminated across appropriate channels, more familiar and accessible to the relevant community Funding will also cover further funding initiatives to improve access to interpreting for ethnic communities.

50            This package of supports will complement the funding Te Arawhiti received to support Māori leadership activities, coordination and communications (CAB- 23-MIN-0059 refers).

 

51            I propose that this departmental funding is met from within MSD baseline. Officials from across the Ministry of Social Development, Pacific People and Ethnic Communities will work together to determine how this funding is best allocated across communications and engagement priorities, to ensure a cohesive all-of-government response.

 

52            This short term support will not address underlying coordination issues and funding gaps. I therefore also recommend that MSD works with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Cyclone Recovery Unit on how to best manage All-of-Government’s ccommunications and coordination response going forward, and report back to the EWR Cabinet Committee.


53            MSD will also ensure to communicate to community groups and providers that they can apply to the Community and Provider funds for translation support costs. MSD also continues to ensure that access to information meets the needs of all communities, including disabled people.

 

Implementation

 

54            This further support will be delivered through the community support package already underway, which leverages existing infrastructure set up for the Care in the Community welfare response to COVID-19 and in coordination with other agencies flood relief investment. Officials are working alongside officials from Te Puni Kōkiri, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Whaikaha, the Department of Internal Affairs, Health and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities through an existing interagency group, used for the Social Cohesion Communities Fund, to distribute community funding to communities and providers, reduce duplication and ensure there is no-wrong doors for communities to access funding. This will include utilising a range of mechanisms to allocate funding (e.g. Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies).

 

55            MSD will continue to work with regional teams, Regional Public Service Commissioners and other welfare agencies to ensure implementation and delivery as soon as possible. In delivering this package, MSD will continue to emphasise the time-limited nature of the support.

 

56            MSD will report to me regularly on the rollout of this funding, including general distribution of funds to key population groups and regions, and any ongoing unmet needs that develop.

 

57            MSD is also looking to utilise the information being developed by SWA to assist with allocation and funding decisions. This provides assurance that funding is going to where it is most needed.

 

Financial Implications

 

58            The $2.5 million of additional supports for further investment for the Food Fund ($2 million) and short term translation support for All-of-Government engagement ($0.5 million), will be met from a fiscally neutral adjustment within Vote Social Development from the Improved Employment and Social Outcomes Support MCA to the Community Support Services MCA.

 

Legislative Implications

 

59            There are no legislative implications from the proposals in this paper.

 

Impact Analysis

 

Regulatory Impact Statement

 

60            Regulatory impact statement requirements do not apply to the proposals in the paper.


Climate Implications of Policy Assessment

 

61            There are no climate impacts arising from the proposals in the paper.

 

Population Implications

 

Population group

Impact

Māori

Māori communities may be more likely to have older people, kaumātua and kuia, who may not have easy access to communication, which is a particular concern in times of emergency. Māori communities may also be more likely to live in housing that is crowded, so may have particular difficulty finding new appropriate housing to meet their needs, and may also struggle to have access to adequate food. Providers focused on supporting Māori, including Whānau Ora providers, will continue to play a key role in supporting Māori communities. Māori are more likely to be disabled than non-Māori, so are more likely to be negatively impacted if the disability fund is exhausted.

I understand a Māori-focused psychosocial response is being developed by Te Aka Whai Ora. This includes a targeted multi-media support campaign, and resources to uplift wairua through a te ao Māori approach to mental wellbeing.

Pacific

Pacific communities face socio-economic inequities that significantly impair their ability to respond to emergencies. They are more likely to live in overcrowded housing, have higher rates of underlying health conditions, experience low levels of income and low levels of savings. As such, Pacific communities are typically the first to experience the immediate impacts of emergencies and take the longest time to recover. Following the recent weather events, Pacific peoples have experienced difficulties finding appropriate temporary housing and support with providing for their family’s essential needs. To date, churches, NGOs and community groups, including Whānau Ora providers, have been integral in providing immediate support for impacted Pacific communities.

Due to language barriers, there continues to be a pressing need for Pacific translation and interpreter support, and access to translated communications.

Disabled people

The barriers faced by disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori in emergencies include lack of accessible timely information, navigating complex communication channels, being unable to access essential supports such as healthcare, and a lack of accessible emergency accommodation.

Engagement undertaken with disabled people, their representative organisations, Disability Support Service providers and other NGOs also identified a need to support disabled people whose essential regular transport is disrupted by severe weather.


 

 

Disabled people can have additional costs that non-disabled people can avoid. If the disability fund is exhausted, the inequities faced by disabled people will increase.

Seniors

Seniors may be at hightened risk of injury or isolation during severe weather, and be less able to access supports on which they rely on a daily basis, such as regular support in getting dressed. Accessible and easy to understand communication with seniors and older people during times of emergency is especially important.

Children and young people

The impact of social isolation as a result of recent severe weather, and mental distress suffered by children and young people may contribute to the ongoing psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 for children and young people. This may have significant long-term impacts if young people remain socially isolated or mentally distressed for an extended period of time.

Research suggests that the adverse health, development and education consequences for children and young people who have inadequate access to food can be particularly severe and long-lasting.

Providers have been reporting young people and their whānau in affected regions are facing numerous issues. These include social isolation, disengagement from schooling/education, psychological distress and trauma, challenges in navigating supports and services, and difficulties in accessing essentials and shelter (including food relief).

I understand registered charity Youthline are working with Meta/Facebook to advertise and promote support to youth, focusing on youth in the worst- affected communities.

In regard to impacted communities as a whole, I also understand Minister of Health has approved reprioritised funding to supplement the mental health response.

Ethnic communities

A significant proportion of New Zealand’s ethnic communities are based in Auckland and were significantly affected by the recent severe weather.

Ethnic communities are also present and signficantly impacted in other areas affected by Cyclone Gabrielle inlcuding Northland, Waikato, Hawkes’s Bay, and Gisborne. Ethnic communities work predominantly in the accommodation, food services, agriculture, forestry and fishing industries in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. These sectors have been heavily impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, and long-term recovery is still a question. Ethnic service providers and community organisations have played a vital role in ensuring community members access government support.

Ethnic communities collectively speak 170+ languages and represent 200+ ethnicities. Language barriers continues to be a concern.

Access to translators and communication in a range of languages is especially important to ensure clear and quick communication to various communities. It will be important to widely disseminate translations of additional key information about how members of the public can access


 

 

interpreting services when contacting government agencies, and do so in a wider range of ethnic community languages.

Culturally appropriate psychosocial support will remain a top priority for ethnic communities moving forward.

Human Rights

 

62            The proposals in this paper are consistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993.

 

Consultation

 

63            The following agencies have been informed of the changes proposed to the

$11.5 million package: Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Te Puni Kōkiri, Whaikaha, the Ministry of Health, Office for Seniors, the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and the Treasury. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet were also informed.

 

Communications

 

64            I intend to announce this package once Cabinet has made these decisions.

 

Proactive Release

 

65            I intend this Cabinet Paper be proactively released within standard timeframes.

 

Recommendations

 

It is recommended that the Cabinet Extreme Weather Recovery Committee:

 

1               note on 13 February 2023 Cabinet agreed to a $11.5 million fiscally neutral package, using Care in the Community welfare programme underspends, with certain funds to support communities and providers in Auckland and other regions impacted by recent flooding, until 30 June 2023 [CAB-23-MIN-0023 refers];

 

2               note as at 3 March $3.61 million of this $11.5 million package has been committed;

 

3               note since cabinet agreed to the $11.5 million, further need has been identified due to the extensive impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle;

 

4               note the Food fund and ring-fenced funding to address the needs of Disabled People fund will likely be exhausted in week beginning 6 March 2023;

 

5               agree to further investment for the Food Fund ($2 million);

 

6               agree to broaden the scope of Care in Community disability providers in impacted regions to include supporting cyclone impacted households


7               note the caps placed on the Community fund and Provider fund are impacting community response to recent flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle and does not cover the extent of support required;

 

8               agree to the following increases of the Community and Provider fund caps, included in the original $11.5 million communities package:

 

8.1          Increase the cap for the Community Support fund from $3,500 and set as a range from $3,500 - $20,000; and

 

8.2          Increase the cap for the Community Providers Response and Wellbeing fund from $7,000 to $40,000;

9               agree to provide $0.5 million for short term translation support for All-of- Government engagement;

 

10            invite MSD to work with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Cyclone Recovery Unit on how to best manage All-of-Government’s communications and coordination response going forward, and report back to Cabinet on progress;

 

11            note while the current $11.5 million package was sourced from MSD underspends within the Community Support Services MCA, this increased investment of $2.5 million will be sought through MSD underspends from the Improved Employment and Social Outcomes Support MCA;

 

12            approve the following fiscally neutral adjustment to give effect to the policy decisions in recommendation 3 and 6 above, with no impact on the operating balance and/or net debt:

 

 

Vote Social Development Minister for Social Development and Employment

$m increase/(decrease)

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

2025/26

2026/27 &

Outyears

Multi-category Expenses and Capital Expenditure

Improved Employment and Social Outcomes Support

Departmental Output Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Administering Income Support (funded by revenue Crown)

(2.500)

-

-

-

-

Multi-category Expenses and Capital Expenditure Community Support Services

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Departmental Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Community Response to Adverse or Emergency Events

2.500

-

-

-

-

Total Operating

-

-

-

-

-


13            agree that the proposed changes to appropriations for 2022/23 above be included in the 2022/23 Supplementary Estimates and that, in the interim, the increase be met from Imprest Supply.

 

 

 

 

Authorised for lodgement Hon Carmel Sepuloni

Minister for Social Development and Employment


Appendix A: Community Support Package dashboard (as at 3 March 2023)