According to Minister of Social Development Senator Dion Foulkes, that money will be used to keep the department’s food programme, which is in high demand, afloat.
"Food, as we know, is a basic human need and while persons facing economic hardship are forced to give up non-essential goods and services, the need for food is one of the most basic. Consequently, the Food Assistance Programme operated by the Department continues to be in great demand," Minister Foulkes said while leading off debate on the 2009/2010 mid-term budget in the upper chamber yesterday.
Minister Foulkes said between July and December 2009, some 3,754 New Providence residents were receiving food assistance.
According to government officials there were 2,722 people on temporary food assistance and more than 1,000 people on permanent food assistance.
"The food coupon is issued to the head of a household. But as we know, most households consist of more than one person. Based on this, we should note that many more people are being served than coupons issued," he said.
The minister also touched on the social situation over in the nation’s second city, noting that things in Grand Bahama remain the same –stagnant.
"We are all aware that Grand Bahama has been hit exceptionally hard by the economic downturn. On our second most populous island, the Department of Social Services has expended in excess of $200,000 per month in food assistance between July and December of 2009," he said.
"To ensure that the basic need for food is met among our children, the National Lunch Programme continues to provide lunch each day to hundreds of children throughout The Bahamas."
Senator Foulkes further revealed that during the first six months of the 2009/2010 fiscal period, his department spent over $350,000 on its Rental Assistance Programme in New Providence and an estimated $250,000 in Grand Bahama.
Meantime, 465 New Providence residents received electricity assistance totaling more than $200,000.
Minister Foulkes said that figure represents less than half of what the government spent during the same period in 2008.
In Grand Bahama, $97,000 was spent on electrical assistance.
"Behind all of these numbers and every dollar spent are individuals and families with real needs and concerns," he said.
Touting the success of the National Training Programme, Minister Foulkes said more than 700 participants were enrolled and more than 80 per cent completed the programme with passing grades.
Courses were offered in New Providence, Exuma and Grand Bahama.
According to the minister, the majority of students were between the ages of 36 and 45.
The subjects covered included block laying, accounting, straw and shell craft, welding, computer applications, tiling and engine repair, and learning QuickBooks.
Citing the results of a survey taken by those who completed the programme, Minister Foulkes said of the 270 persons who responded, 263 said the programme was effective.
"Only two individuals said that it was not effective. All 270 respondents said the course had increased their knowledge. But best of all, 162 said the programme was excellent, 92 said it was good, 13 said it was satisfactory and one person found it unsatisfactory. Only two people did not answer the question," he said.
"Some 100 people who completed the programme were identified to take part in the next step, which is the Micro-Finance and Entrepreneurship Programme. This follow-on programme is aimed at creating more Bahamian entrepreneurs. Ninety-two people have decided to take part and have already produced business plans and will be awarded grants based upon the viability of their plan."
- Austin DWI - New York DWI