Catherine Daniel wants information on public support programs

Daniel want information of the support program. File photo

Minister of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs, Catherine Daniel is calling on Dominica Labour Party (DLP) supporters to provide the government with information on its public support program.

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Roseau last week, she said the government is aware that there are people who are still receiving assistance for their children under the program but these children are now adults and are employed.

“Some of the things that we are seeing, as I came in as minister that there are some people who have had children receiving foster care, and these children are big children, 21. 28, working and these people are still receiving the foster care,” she revealed. “As a family of labour, these are some of the things you can help us do. You can help us if you know this is happening because as you know our resources are challenged.”

A number of public support programs exist on the island, including the Yes We Care Program and the Foster Care Program to name a few.

In Roseau Central, there are 56 people in the Yes We Care Program, while in Foster Care there are about 30.

Government has spent over $116,000 on these programs. About $108, 000 went to the public assistance and about $8,600 to Foster Care

Daniel said if it wasn’t for the Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Program the country wouldn’t be where it is today in terms of these programs “and so we solicit your help in rectifying some problems.”

“If you know of people who are receiving these monies who should not be receiving them, come to the office of Social Services and talk to us, we will do the investigation, we won’t just take them up, but we will do the investigation,” Daniel stated.

She said these programs were created with no ‘colour coding’ and it hurts when the opposition and others blast the government over them.

Daniel also said that her ministry is responsible for village councils and the Roseau City Council.

“Most of the councils receive a subvention and this is a one-time thing for the year,” she stated. “For the Roseau City Council, they are really challenged and often times they have to be helped, but from the Citizenship By Investment Program.”

She said the Roseau City Council receives $22,390 monthly from the government “and this can only help them with their salaries, not to do anything much.”

She appealed to citizens to pay their taxes.

“But I also say to the Roseau City Council, if people have to pay, you have to show them what you are doing,” she added. “They have to see that you are giving them the services and then they will be willing to pay.

Daniel said government is there to help and to make the country better and, “so we give the subventions, we assist otherwise when they are financially challenged.”

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53 Comments

  1. Kaka Beth
    March 22, 2017

    They giving away money for votes. Some people getting and some are not getting. Anytime there are too many social programs and welfare schemes the economy will collapse. Let people be competitive and work for their living. They cannot give everybody and those people who are left out will become jealous, violent and rebellious. Why should my tax money be spent on caring for an elderly man whom when he was young and able chose to DRINK RUM AND MAKE BOMB. Yet hardworking public servants cannot get nothing.

  2. MR. PROLIFIC
    March 21, 2017

    The Minister was being polite and understanding, You would have preferred she used crime watch that what we are going to do. We got you all covered and out numbered keep your stress.newsonline has you few on the run. Just keep running

  3. Thomian
    March 21, 2017

    Why is Catherine Daniel calling on Dominica Labour Party (DLP) supporters to provide the government with information on its Public Support Program (psp) ? This is so laughable….

  4. The Eel
    March 21, 2017

    These comments wasn’t call for the truth does hurt. Honesty is the best Policy. After what he did no one visited Mr. LIN. IN HOSPITAL. An ISLAND of 305 square miles, with a population of only sixty thousand how can you experience unemployment except if all were graduate in Cuba like DODDS.iF YOU KNOW OF ANY CHEATS report it.If you don’t you are worst than the cheaters

  5. tru d bino q la
    March 21, 2017

    The political storms are raging and the rains are overwhelming therefore all crawling insects and foul birds will abandon their abode_thus exposing themselves for they have ate the bread of others free of charge. For all you so called christians out there, please read the following:
    2nd Thessalonians: chapter 3 verse 8-15

  6. TS Erika
    March 21, 2017

    i must say in everybody i am disappointed in in this current labour regime, Miss D aniel you are the most disappointing. You have sold your soul for a few pieces of silver. For someone who claimed to be holy and biblical, my LADY you have lost it all. shame on you. i use to look up to you as a role model. not anymore. and now you asking for info and transparency. you people created that mess, learn to deal with it. PS. ITS LENT. I HOPE YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR “LOVE FOR LENNOX LINTON AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF UWP. HYPOCRITE

  7. Annon
    March 21, 2017

    Oh oh oops…..did she just let the cat out of the bag, by needing that info from…. Dlp supporters? I smell some spin of that statement coming.

  8. Just Me
    March 21, 2017

    In the name of Jesus let the day parlaying continue. Keep giving them prayers people!!

  9. Dr Clayton Shillingford
    March 21, 2017

    To; Minister Daniel re Catherine Daniel wants information on public support programs
    Did you say this? “If you know of people who are receiving these monies who should not be receiving them, come to the office of Social Services and talk to us, we will do the investigation, we won’t just take them up, but we will do the investigation,” Daniel stated.

    You are asking citizens to squeal on others.??

    This is an entirely ridiculous statement from you and again shows up the incompetence of the DLP leadership.

  10. March 21, 2017

    I thought the CBI was meant to fund a project is which is a one time transaction as indicted by ministers, and not meant for recurrent expenditure? isn’t these programs mentioned part of the recurrent expenditure?

  11. JOSH SHAW
    March 21, 2017

    It says alot about your incompetent government. Dont you think it is best for the lot of u to get out. U are now publicly admitting to wasting the country money all this is why we cant reduce the mal vat roosvelt placed on our back. !

  12. Papa Dom
    March 21, 2017

    Catherine, if the programme was a properly run one by the relevant ministry then you wouldn’t be having this problem now. So stop handing out cash for votes and all will be well.

  13. Patriotic
    March 21, 2017

    But wait a minute – is Daniel asking for the public help to identify people who are no longer eligible for assistance? This is an embarrassment! Let me give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you adopted this mess as part of your portfolio. Why can’t you first identify everyone who is receiving assisantace and from this list investigate who are no longer eligible? I’m sure you have a college graduate who is looking for work and this could be a Temporary project that can add value to someone looking to build their resume.

    You know how much is spent? Who is responsible for money Alottment to families? How often? Who gets the money? How is the money delivered to families? This is poor governing. There are so many ways to get this information.

    • Anonymous
      March 21, 2017

      You have NEP people picking their nose, get them to check on eveyone getting assistance and report to you. That can not be too difficult, can it?

  14. Enquiring Mind
    March 20, 2017

    May I ask when are we going to separate party and government? Why does every minister of government feel the need to wear red at every function? Does it mean that when you win the election you only represent those who voted you? Please, enough with the color. We know you are a laborite and your color is red. When at official functions, you represent the people; red, blue, yellow and non-aligned. It looks tacky!

  15. Lady, if you people were capable of providing sustainable employment for the nation, the parents of the children would have a job, and would not depend on an old tired looking woman like you for a hand out to feed their children!

    What does it matter if the children are grown? Grown and cannot find work to support themselves; you anticipate them staving to death?

    They do not have the opportunity to sell passports, such as diplomatic passports to make millions, so they should live off the government who provides for it cabal, and chosen associates, such as your stupid supporters. If you feed one political mouth; feed all!

  16. ConFUSED2
    March 20, 2017

    I wander why all you removed my comment . It is true that austrie say no cbi pays salary and hear it is miss daniel saying they using the money for roseau city council salary

  17. Ideal
    March 20, 2017

    Catherine Daniel is calling on Dominica Labour Party (DLP) supporters to provide the government with information on its public support program.” Shouldn’t that call be to all Dominicans?

    • Me
      March 21, 2017

      A Freudian slip by Hon. Daniel. She obviously believes that the Government is the the same as the Labour party.

  18. Silver Sliver
    March 20, 2017

    Such display of incompetence and inefficiency! Wear it proudly!!

  19. Let The Truth Be Told - Original
    March 20, 2017

    You need a better system. Your records must be updated. Those who are recipients should notify the office when the child is no longer in need of this help. Your records should indicate it.
    As soon as they no longer need this assistance, the authorities should be notified. It is your duty to inform them accordingly and also to go after them and recoup the money they unlawfully received. Time for some seriousness and serious work.

  20. Way Papa
    March 20, 2017

    Take it self!..money bowling all over the place like it is no object for this gov’t. Let us pray that we get no disaster because it would be unconscionable to go and beg the world for assistance.SMH

  21. DRASTIC
    March 20, 2017

    Labour party supporters now have to do the work of the Audit Department?
    Is that what we have come to? To quote the PM is this a real country?

  22. Reasoning
    March 20, 2017

    This lady being a teacher and at the age she is,has allowed herself to be in such a mess! :?:

  23. March 20, 2017

    Incompetence at the highest level

  24. Dan is de man in de Van
    March 20, 2017

    Catherine u should hide yourself completely. the state funds are being abused and you are asking the ruling party supportes to spy and bring news for u. This is a run shop kind of business u all are running. Papa met but what is that about. And these kind of people who are governing the state of Afairs of Dominica. What a bigly Shame.. allay saway kor Zor tan. Lazy people don’t want to the work u all are being paid for. A vicious cycle. Vote for me I pay you spy for me I pay you…

  25. Zandoli Claywat
    March 20, 2017

    Lennox Linton seems to be prophesying, all what he says is coming to light!

  26. TimTim
    March 20, 2017

    My god! what is wrong with these ppl?! She is basically saying that the Welfare Division is not doing the basic work of monitoring its cases? And She goes further by encouraging Dominicans to spy on and report each other?! What is wrong with these people? Why are they so sick?

    Woman go and fix di Welfare department if it this incompetent eh and ONLY leave the poor ignorant labour family cordi you. Sou plait!

  27. Dominican
    March 20, 2017

    Doesn’t the Ministry of Social Services use computers in 2017? When a child gets on to foster care the date and year are registered and when the child get off age any payment should automatically stop. I hope the same is not happening with dead people still getting paid pensions for instance. Is the Ministry directly connected to to the Registrar’s Office so that hey are automatically notified when some dies, gets married etc.? God only knows how many phantoms receive state benefits in our little country? Only 72,000 people and you ca not keep a check on that?

    • That woman is full of crap, all she is doing is running off here mouth in order to get her miserable face on DNO to remind people she is alive!

      If one has an organize program, there should be legible age to get on the program, and an age where one would no longer be legible, and they would automatically fall of the program, with exceptions depending on their circumstances.

      All she is doing is playing politics, talking nonsense, she makes no sense whatsoever, that is only a political game to her, she is a nuisance!

    • Titiwi
      March 21, 2017

      Francisco, I do not support her party’s policies but I do believe that Ms. Daniel is sincere in trying to address what is obviously a serious case of mis- or maladministration. She is brave enough even to stick her neck out and admit there is a problem! Everyone in Dominica should have the equivalent of a National Security no., which must be provided and recorded every time assistance is asked for or given either in cash or kind, incl. the cash handouts by the P.M.’s office on a Wednesday. This way the government can account for every penny spent on such programmes, have traceability and measure their effectiveness. Not only will this greatly reduce misuse but also help with efficient planning of social services and proper use of resources.

      • televangelists are false prophets
        March 22, 2017

        Brave? Whose else’s neck should be stuck out to face the public? Let me guess? Tony Astaphan again?? to answer to the public about public matters? No it is her duty and her obligation. Lets just say this; she may not have been as cowardly as others, she may have even been more stupid/foolish than others to say some of those things, but she definitely is not brave for making those utterances.

  28. The Darkness
    March 20, 2017

    Are you suggesting that the regular civilian do your jobs?!!!!

    You government workers are the worst. Receiving salaries for doing NOT A DAM THING.

    Do not play like it is not known. Al ot of you have jobs to do, yet your personal business is handled 1st and foremost. This is why things take so long to get done in this country.

    People, wake up and take your job tasks seriously or we will be looked at as fools.

    wait, too late on that. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE DAM COCOA TEA!! Stop being lazy and feeling entitled to everything under the sun.

    The only thing you are promised when you are born, is death. Nothing else is set.

    • The Darkness
      March 20, 2017

      Note: this is also why they have to keep outsourcing bigger jobs, instead of handing it over to the locals… who in truth, FAIL at it.

      Let not sugar coat like the soft headed Americans. Our we will surely fall into ruin.

      Don’t let politics rule your lives, be your own path-maker.

  29. LuCClu
    March 20, 2017

    “But I also say to the Roseau City Council, if people have to pay, you have to show them what you are doing,” she added. “They have to see that you are giving them the services and then they will be willing to pay……Ummm if they’re not paying there can be no services. What will they take to provide the services if taxes aren’t being paid? Dust? #somethingfornothing

    • Mother
      March 20, 2017

      As far as I’m concerned the way things are we may as well not have a City Council, They can not act independently anyway without the P.M.’s approval, so why pay them every month? The same really applies to our President. What does he do all day for his money?

      • Clergy Man
        March 21, 2017

        Ya I know, doesn’t the president make about as much or more than the city council monthly??

  30. %
    March 20, 2017

    Its corruption all over…VOTE PURCHASING!!! How else can DLP win/steal an election?

  31. Mary Black
    March 20, 2017

    How could you have such a programme in place and do not have a record of who are being given assistance to so when the cold or children reach the age to stop it happens and now asking for people to report.

    • viewsexpressed
      March 21, 2017

      Skerrit must GO: Time catching up on this political mobsters and they run about as if something is happening, well we want our country cleaned and we want Skerrit to GO and his corrupt labour government out of office.
      Mary Black, to answer your question as a civil servant, these silly so called government ministers like Madam Daniel knows nothing of care of children and families and obeys Skerrit and now asking for people to do good is like the devil and a thief forgiving sins. Satan cannot forgive sins. This government are political Satans hurting us and our country and they disrepective we the civil servants.

  32. Mike
    March 20, 2017

    And whose fault is that? The distinguishing mark of the DLP Government, under Roosevelt Skerrit, is its hand-out policy to all and sundry for votes regardless of the financial status of the recipients and the law. Now, a minister is complaining that underserving people are receiving benefits from the government. When Lennox Linton said there were greedy, not needy, people being given taxpayers’ money, the DLP Government lambasted him as not caring for people. Now, he is being vindicated by the same Labour Party. It may take some time but the truth will always be revealed. A fundamental fact of life that Roosevelt Skerrit and his cohorts must learn: The truth will out and prevail.

    • Mike
      March 20, 2017

      Now, the minister is asking labourites to report on others who they suspect of cheating the welfare programmes. It has come to this-the next level under the DLP Government.

  33. televangelists are false prophets
    March 20, 2017

    So only DLP supporters are being asked to provide information? ” Minister of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs, Catherine Daniel is calling on Dominica Labour Party (DLP) supporters to provide the government with information on its public support program.” That is like asking only your friends and family for objective feedback on some thing you did or want to do. How much realistic feedback will those kroneys give? “yes ms daniel all you doing great things, i love my PM.” that alone you will get, Then she will turn around and say “the Public” is satisfied with the their public support program. Meanwhile everyone knows that supporters of the opposition and people who have challenged the government, particullarly the PM have been victimized in one way or another. I believe Ms. Daniel should know better than at her age. If you want an unbiased objective response you have to include the real public – non DLP supporters.

    • televangelists are false prophets
      March 20, 2017

      unless it is only DLP supports who have ever benefitted from this “public “”support”” program”. Now what kind of wicked person would want to be on foster care at 28 years of age? and you came in in 2014. Imagine what was going on all before Ms. Daniel. smh.

  34. JBaptiste
    March 20, 2017

    Lady! If there was a structure in place there would be no need to ask for info. You would have all the info you need. Do you expect them to tell you. Every one who votes this government somehow feel entitled. As long as they get something from their parl rep then to hell with the country.

  35. Theresa
    March 20, 2017

    so are you saying that there are no records ?…here goes again to accountability…it is shameful that you have to ask through this medium that persons tell you who may be abusing the system…well actually, you are just exposing the truth that there are no documentation,standard, checks and balances even with the limited resources..you just hand out and ask questions later. What a shame! That’s how you spend the states monies?

    • televangelists are false prophets
      March 21, 2017

      She want slaves to snitch on each other on behalf of the master.

  36. Hope
    March 20, 2017

    Where are the DDO and assistance to review the coucil’s books and to follow up on what you are asking DLP members to do. Now we are going back to front.
    Please send memo to the council’s and DDO.

    • viewsexpressed
      March 21, 2017

      “As a family of labour, these are some of the things you can help us do. You can help us if you know this is happening because as you know our resources are challenged.” You will not get our help, please do not patronise us, you have bee of no help.
      Madam Daniel, you and your corrupt , dirty, abusive government is extremely devious and dangerous and prey on the poor families and people of Dominica. You, your ministry and your silly government began operating a scheme without the initial involvement of the states professionals and now dishing out handouts you want them to come clean your mess. NO, NO..NO we aint doing this. You have been cautioned and your folly inept Skerrit and you being inexperienced for this position as we all know within the ministry that you are a failure and lack the knowledge to hold this position.

  37. Anon
    March 20, 2017

    Wait a minute, when Lennox Linton said there were people in these programs who were receiving assistance and they don’t really need it, everybody jumped down his throat.

    What Catherine Daniel is saying here, is exactly what Linton was saying.

    Although there are people out there who really need help, some who don’t as per Daniel’s words, and I say, they are not needy but greedy.

    Lennox boy, you were right.

    • Look It
      March 20, 2017

      Anon, ALL what Lennox brings froth is correct!!!!

      This dude has been bringing the truth to the nation for years even before he was into politics… and those who have taken him to court have the big bucks to have evidence suppressed…. emails being suppressed, motion for the submission of evidence is being denied.. submission of passport etc etc

      And the public is made to believe he doesn’t know what he is talking about and he is just orchestrating a smear campaign or peddling lies …. and Skerrit supports gobble it up like hot 25cent bread and that bright yellow butter!

      Dominican zor sot eh!!!!

      • CIA Agent
        March 20, 2017

        I’d do anything right now for a 25cent bread and that bright yellow butter. Thanks for the memories.

        Jokes aside, DLP has modified its slogan to “All shall eat each other.”

        Ms Daniel confirms that the government is giving out money to undeserving individuals.

        Instead of confirming legitimacy of recipients whenever monies are handed out from here on, she resorts to the fascist tool of neighbour-snitching which can only result in more division among us.

    • Anon
      March 20, 2017

      Admin: In my second to last paragraph, I mean “there are some who don’t as per Daniel’s words.”

      thanks

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