SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
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SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL SOCIAL SITUATION
Between October 2012 and May 2013, the
following were achieved by the PRP:
• 437 Micro Enterprise and Training Grants
were approved totalling TT$ 2,162,997.31;
• 11 Regional Micro Projects Fund were
approved totalling TT$ 470,146.12;
• 3,816 beneficiaries of the Multipurpose
Community Based Tele-centres.
On April 9th 2013, the PRP launched its
Business Training Programme. 27 hearing
impaired persons were given the opportunity
to start their own micro businesses through the
provision of grants valued at $5,000 each. 50%
of the proceeds went towards the purchasing
of materials, while the remaining 50% went
towards training in the areas of: Life Skills for
Business; Business Planning; How to Finance a
Micro Business; Marketing and Record Keeping.
B. Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer
Programme
The Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer
Programme (TCCTP) provides food assistance
in the formof a cash transfer and developmental
programme to vulnerable households. The
cash transfer component is delivered via the
Trinidad and Tobago Debit Card (TT Card). The
developmental component or RISE-UP (Rights
of Individuals to Social and Economic Security-
Universal Prosperity) provides rehabilitative and
developmental support through the provision
of training, assistance in finding employment,
budgetary planning, family planning and career
guidance to enhance client employability.
Over 40,000 households continue to benefit
monthly from the cash transfer, as at May 2013.
Over $21 million in food security are provided
to these households. The introduction of a
Temporary Food Card has also benefitted over
7,000 vulnerable households, which received
assistance via offices of Members of Parliament.
The temporary card is issued immediately for a
period of one month, while the assessment for
eligibility for a permanent card is conducted.
C. Social Welfare
The Social Welfare Division is charged with the
responsibility to provide equitable, transparent
and timely services to supplement the social and
financial needs of the less fortunate members of
society. The following was achieved by the Social
Welfare Division for fiscal 2013:
• TheDisabilityAssistanceGrantwasincreased
from $1,300.00 to $1,500.00 as at February
1st 2013, providing more purchasing power
for persons with disabilities;
• As at January 1st 2013, the MPSD launched
its Direct Deposit service where cheques
are deposited directly into the bank account
of clients. This creates an easier and more
accommodating avenue for senior citizens to
access theirmoneymore conveniently. Since
its’ launch, over 45,000 senior citizens have
signed up for the Direct Deposit Initiative;
• As at March 2013, 81,342 persons were
receiving Senior Citizen’s Pension;
• As at March 2013, 24,127 persons were
receiving the Disability Assistance Grant;
• As at March 2013, 25,752 persons were
receiving the Public Assistance Grant;
• As at March 2013, 25 persons received the
Special Achiever’s Grant at an estimated
cost of $300,600.00.
D. Main people issues resolution coordinating
unit
The M-PIRCU facilitates a participatory
approach to governance, and ensures that the
needs of citizens are adequately analysed and
meaningfully catered for, through, inter alia:
• Efficient customer service which involves
receiving citizen’s complaints and providing
feedback;
• Liaisingwith relevant Ministries, Government
agencies and other stakeholders in resolving
the complaints of citizens;
