6. LYNNE PILLAY (Labour—Waitakere) Link to this
to the Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment (CYF)
What reports, if any, has she received concerning funding for Family Wellbeing Services?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment (CYF)) Link to this
I have read a report that states: “Funding for Family Wellbeing Services, vital in identifying and helping at risk families, has been cut by $17 million in the past two years.” I would like to draw the attention of the House and the author of that report to three documents that are very, very publicly available—the 2005/2006 Non-Departmental Output Expense Report of Child, Youth and Family, and the Budget statements of 2005 and 2006. Pages 1, 2, and 6 of the first report, page 145 of the second report, and pages 108 and 113 of the third report state that the alleged cut in funding was a transfer from Child, Youth and Family to the Ministry of Social Development family and community services group. I recommend to the member Anne Tolley that she read the base documents before scaremongering in public.
Has the Associate Minister received any reports on the outcome of increased funding for Child, Youth and Family?
Yes, as a matter of fact I have. Child, Youth and Family is having a number of successes, such as reducing the number of unallocated cases from 3,000 in October 2004 to 435 in October of last year—all during a period of significantly rising notifications. I think all members should acknowledge this significant achievement, although I would also note that responsibility for preventing child abuse rests with the whole community, not just one Government agency.
Anne TolleyI seek leave to table the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services expenditure showing that in the year 2004-05 Family Wellbeing Services outcome was listed at $55 million and in the year 2006-07 the budget is $38 million—a cut of $17 million in Family Wellbeing Services.
Madam SPEAKER