$40M to be spent on Financial Assistance

FRIDAY, FEB. 24: Nearly $40 million will be spent on Financial Assistance in the coming year, Youth, Families and Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney said on Friday.

The total budget for 2012-13 is estimated to be $75.3 million for the ministry, which also includes child and family services.

Mr Blakeney said that a change in policy to allow seniors who owned their own home to apply for Financial Assistance would cost an estimated $250,000 over the year.

He said: “This is one of the amendments we believe is showing our commitment to our senior citizens and our sensitivity as a government.”

Around $18.6 million will be spent in support of children and families, while sports, which includes backing for the international CARIFTA Games, due to be held in a few weeks time, will get around $12 million.