Hon Ruth Dyson
Social Development and Employment
Government invests in strong communities
This government’s investment in strong families and communities will be significantly advanced through Budget 2008,
Social Development and Employment Minister Ruth Dyson said today.
This includes $446.5 million announced by the Prime Minister in February, to fully fund contracted essential services
delivered by community organisations for vulnerable families, children and young people. This includes $133.1 million of
reprioritised spending. These organisations will also receive regular funding increases to reflect changes in cost and
demand.
“This government’s record of lifting children out of poverty, reducing unemployment, and improving the skills of our
young people could not have been achieved without the strong support and close relationship between Government and
community organisations,” said Ruth Dyson.
“The new funding model further promotes that cooperative approach, and we are now concentrating more on early
intervention and positive results for children, young people, families and communities.
“The focus on achieving good outcomes is reinforced with a $24.6 million boost to assist 7,500 caregivers caring for
more than 10,000 children. This new funding enables the Unsupported Child’s Benefit and Orphan’s Benefit (UCB/OB) to
match the Foster Care Allowance (FCA) weekly rates from 1 April 2009. This is not only a positive investment in our
children but is also recognition of the valuable role that carers – particularly grandparents – play when children
cannot be with their parents.”
Budget 2008 will further strengthen partnerships with community groups through a number of initiatives, such as:
• $2 million over four years to support strong ethnic communities, to expand participation and capacity, and
support advice forums and events. This funding demonstrates the government's commitment to meaningful dialogue between
communities, promotion of intercultural skills for Government, business and the community, and raising awareness and the
quality of debate in New Zealand in relation to diversity and cultural identity.
• $1 million in 2008/09 for the Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association (RNZRSA) to support veterans’
welfare.
• $368,000 for the newly established Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Trust.
ENDS