MORE THAN 20,000 persons have had their allowances suspended because of non-compliance with the requirements of the Government-run Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).Senator Floyd Morris, State Minister in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security with special responsibility for the programme, said the suspension was due to the beneficiaries' reluctance to ensure that their children "attend school and visit health centres regularly".
He explained that, "on the education side, we require that children attend school for over 85 per cent of the prescribed period of the school year and failure to do this will result in them being categorised as non-compliant and the payments will be suspended pending investigations."
Beneficiaries, he said, are also required to do regular medical checks at their nearest health clinic. Children up to six years old are to visit the clinic six times per year, while older beneficiaries are to have medical checks twice yearly.
RESUME PAYMENTS
Senator Morris said the Ministry was willing to resume payments once the beneficiaries started to fulfil their obligations under the programme but... "we make no bones about suspending the programme until they comply with the requirements".
Mr. Morris was however quick to add that beneficiaries who have been complying, will this month see an increase in their allowances under the scheme.
He said that an additional $100 will be added to the regular $300 that is paid to each person on the programme.
"Beneficiaries who are now collecting their money at post offices will see an increase in their stipend because we have taken a decision to increase the stipend to each beneficiary," the Minister said.
Addressing criticism that the amount being paid to beneficiaries was not enough, Senator Morris said: "One has to be reminded on a continuous basis that PATH is not to be construed as a replacement income but rather to be seen as a supplement given by the State because the State will not have sufficient resources where it gives each family an income".
