People receiving social welfare assistance can hope for an increase in the 2024/2026 National Budget as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad has indicated an increase for social welfare.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection was allocated $199.5 million in the 2024-2025 Budget where $171.3 million was allocated for the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for the administration of Government’s Social Protection Programmes which provides support to vulnerable families, children, persons living with disabilities and our senior citizens.
The programmes are expected continue to assist more than 105,000 beneficiaries.
The major programmes are the Family Assistance Scheme, Child Protection Allowance, Social Pension Scheme, Allowance for Persons with Disability, Rural Pregnant Mothers’ Food Allowance and Transport Assistance Scheme.
The Ministry also established the Department of Children in this financial year that ensures the safety and protection of the children of Fiji, including those under the care of the State.
A budget of $80,000 was allocated to establishment the department but it is expected to increase.
The Government is also expected to continue to provide budgetary support to ensure that the Department of Women continues with its advisory role to Government to ensure the integration of all women and girls’ needs, interests, concerns, contributions and perspectives into policies, strategies, programs and budgets.
The Department is also expected to continue with the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Prevention on Violence against All Women and Girls.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad will deliver the 2025-2026 National Budget next Friday.
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