Judith Collins MP
National Party Welfare Spokeswoman
30 March 2006
Dyson kept CYF merger secret
National Party Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins says Ruth Dyson knew last year that the troubled Child Youth and
Family was being set up to merge with the Ministry of Social Development.
“The fact she knew last year but never bothered to do any research about how the merger would impact on disadvantaged
and at-risk children is outrageous. She has neglected her responsibilities to those kids.”
Ms Collins is commenting on an answer to a Parliamentary question where the Minister confirms she knew about the merger
well in advance.
“Ms Dyson even kept this from CYF staff, who may have been in a position to provide her with more information about the
risks of restructuring, the likely costs and the impact it will have on service delivery.
“So far Labour has provided nothing to suggest a merger between CYF and MSD will improve outcomes for vulnerable
children and families. It’s time the Minister did some homework and provided the results to the public,” says Ms
Collins.
ENDS