Estimates of appropriations

Vote Social Development - Estimates of Appropriations 2008/09 - Estimates 2008/09

Note 29

From the Estimates of Appropriations 2008/09 in Budget 2008, Vote Child, Youth and Family Services was merged into Vote Social Development.

MINISTER(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROPRIATIONS: Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment (CYF) (M10), Minister for Social Development and Employment (M63)

ADMINISTERING DEPARTMENT: Ministry of Social Development

MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Minister for Social Development and Employment

Overview of the Vote#

The Minister for Social Development and Employment is responsible for the appropriations in the Vote for the 2008/09 financial year covering the following:

  • a total of over $412 million on Child Youth and Family related services including responding to and preventing child abuse and neglect, managing adoptions and youth justice services
  • a total of nearly $569 million on services to assist people into employment, and to assess and pay the appropriate entitlement of social assistance to beneficiaries, and to protect the integrity of the benefit system, including collection of debt
  • a total of over $83 million on specialised services, including services for students, seniors and administration of community services and SuperGold cards
  • a total of nearly $52 million on social policy advice and crown entity monitoring
  • a total of over $39 million on leadership and coordination services to support and strengthen families, communities and whanau
  • a total of over $273 million on services from other organisations
  • a total of over $15 million purchasing services from the Children's Commissioner, the Retirement Commissioner, and the Families Commission
  • a total of over $773 million on debt write-downs, and a series of assistance programmes
  • a total of $7,739 million on payments of New Zealand Superannuation
  • a total of $3,882 million on payments for the working age benefits - Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB), Unemployment, Sickness, Invalid's and Widow's
  • a total of $1,486 million on payments for assistance with expenses related to accommodation, disability, hardship and entering or remaining in the workforce
  • a total of $494 million on payments to assist people to obtain a qualification or independent youth to continue education/training or obtain work
  • a total of $320 million on other forms of financial assistance such as childcare, care of unsupported children, payments to Australia and special circumstances
  • a total of $1,296 million on payments for student loans, and
  • a total of $122 million on advances of benefits and other recoverable payments to assist with hardship.

Details of these appropriations are set out in Parts 2-6 for Vote Social Development in the Information Supporting the Estimates of Appropriations.

Details of Appropriations#

Details of Annual and Permanent Appropriations

Details of Annual and Permanent Appropriations - Social Development
  2007/08 2008/09
Titles and Scopes of Appropriations by Appropriation Type Budgeted
$000
Estimated
Actual
$000
Budget
$000

Departmental Output Expenses

     

Adoption Services (M63)

The management of services, incorporating education, assessment, reporting, counselling, and mediation, to all people who are party to adoption-related matters, past or present.
- - 8,690

Care and Protection Services (M63)

Social work services, both statutory and informal, that protect and assist children and young people who are in need of care and protection.
- - 300,632

Collection of Balances Owed by Former Clients and Non-beneficiaries (M63)

Services to manage the collection of overpayments and recoverable assistance loans from former clients and other balances owed comprising of Student Allowance overpayments, Liable Parent Contributions, and court ordered Maintenance.
16,776 16,776 19,991

Development and Funding of Community Services (M63)

Management of Government funding of community-based social and welfare services.
- - 8,057

Family and Community Services (M63)

Provision of leadership and co-ordination services to support and strengthen families and whanau; including providing information and advice that assists families, young people and communities and managing preventative social services programmes.
29,940 29,940 31,517

Income Support and Assistance to Seniors (M63)

This appropriation is limited to paying New Zealand Superannuation and social security entitlements (including administering related international social security agreements) and providing advice and brokering services to help older people maintain independence and social participation; and administering international social security agreements relating to non-superannuitants.
40,815 40,815 39,243

Management of Service Cards MCOA (M63)

- - 7,614
Administration of Community Services Card
This output class is limited to assessing entitlement, issuing cards, and promoting and distributing information about the Community Services Card.
- - 5,764
Management of SuperGold Card
This output class is limited to management of the SuperGold Card and the Veteran SuperGold Card comprising assessing entitlement for, and issuing cards, distributing information about the Card, enlisting business partners to provide discounts to cardholders, and promoting use of the Card and related discounts.
- - 1,850

Management of Student Support (M63)

This appropriation is limited to managing financial support to students involving assessing and paying student allowances to eligible secondary and tertiary students, student loans to tertiary students, and Government scholarships and awards for tertiary students, and, as part of managing this support, providing related guidance to students making financial and study decisions.
36,327 36,327 36,292

Policy Advice and Support to Ministers MCOA (M63)

- - 51,767
Crown Entity Monitoring
This output class is limited to the purchase, appointment and monitoring advice for social development and employment Crown entities, and appointment advice for social development and employment statutory tribunals.
- - 1,900
Social Policy Advice
This output class is limited to policy advice and servicing support comprising advice on cross-sectoral and long term social policy matters; advice on the design and operation of social development programmes and initiatives; the provision of information to, and discussion fora for, the public and other agencies on social policy issues; and ministerial servicing.
- - 49,867

Prevention Services (M63)

Education and advice services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the promotion of the wellbeing of children, young people and their families
- - 5,104

Services to Protect the Integrity of the Benefit System (M63)

Services to minimise errors, fraud and abuse of the benefit system.
38,788 38,788 35,959

Tailored Sets of Services to Help People into Work or Achieve Independence (M63)

This appropriation is limited to delivering tailored sets of services to individuals to help them into sustainable employment, participate more fully in their community or achieve a greater level of social independence; and the management of related non-departmental output contracts. The composition of each set of services is determined by the individual's needs and selected from a mix of employment readiness training and support, employment placement, social support services, payment of income support and training support benefits, and referrals to other employment or social support providers.
- - 427,363

Vocational Skills Training (M63)

This appropriation is limited to vocationally based skills training for working-age people through the Training Opportunities Programme.
- - 85,635

Youth Justice Services (M63)

Social work and other services to manage and resolve offending behaviour by children and young people, by providing assessment, support, programmes, containment and care of young offenders.
- - 97,797

Adoption Services (M10)

The management of services, incorporating education, assessment, reporting, counselling, and mediation, to all people who are party to adoption-related matters, past or present.
8,184 8,184 -

Care and Protection Services (M10)

Social work services, both statutory and informal, that protect and assist children and young people who are in need of care and protection.
316,449 316,449 -

Community Services Card (M63)

Services to issue and produce Community Services cards, promote and distribute information about the card.
5,764 5,764 -

Development and Funding of Community Services (M10)

Management of Government funding of community-based social and welfare services.
8,079 8,079 -

Policy Advice and Ministerial Servicing (M10)

Advice, research, evaluation, and development of policies relating to the provision, or contracting of social and welfare services for children, young people and families in communities.
1,573 1,573 -

Policy and Purchase Advice (M63)

Provision of social policy advice, research and evaluation, purchase and monitoring advice in regard to social service sector delivery agencies and Crown entities, and ministerial services.
42,722 42,722 -

Prevention Services (M10)

Education and advice services for the prevention of child abuse and neglect, and the promotion of the wellbeing of children, young people and their families.
3,801 3,801 -

Services to Minimise the Duration of Unemployment and Move People into Work (M63)

Strategies and services designed to reduce unemployment and reduce the time spent by people on social security benefits; including supporting clients to be work ready, facilitating job seeker attachment to work opportunities and supporting clients in employment.
232,046 232,046 -

Services to Provide Benefit Entitlements and Obligations to Working Age Beneficiaries and to Promote Self-Sufficiency (M63)

Services to manage the delivery of income support payments, including the assessment and payment of primary and supplementary benefits to working age beneficiaries, and managing client debt repayments.
260,771 260,771 -

Social Development Leadership (M63)

Provision of strategic social policy advice and regional social development leadership.
2,931 2,931 -

Youth Justice Services (M10)

Social work and other services to manage and resolve offending behaviour by children and young people, by providing assessment, support, programmes, containment and care of young offenders.
101,481 101,481 -

Total Departmental Output Expenses

1,146,447 1,146,447 1,155,661

Non-Departmental Output Expenses

     

Assistance to Disadvantaged Persons (M63)

This appropriation is limited to the provision of resources and assistance to disadvantaged persons in the community and comprises: distribution of talking books and articles for the blind; support for carers of older persons, disabled or others in the community; and advocacy assistance to people seeking entitlements from government agencies.
1,450 1,450 1,450

Children's Commissioner (M63)

Provision of services from the Children's Commissioner including the discharge of the Commissioner's duties under the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989, the Children's Commissioner Act, identification of aspects of law, policy and practice that might adversely affect children and the development and proposal of remedies.
2,257 2,257 1,757

Connected Communities (M63)

Funding of services that strengthen and support communities and community functioning, and which assist communities to support families in improving their family circumstances.
2,606 2,606 2,577

Counselling and Rehabilitation Services (M63)

Purchase of services, including family counselling and other post-crisis interventions that restore the wellbeing of children, young people and families who have suffered harm and abuse or other forms of family breakdown or youth justice issues.
- - 10,963

Education and Prevention Services (M63)

Purchase of education and prevention programmes and initiatives that aim to provide skills to children, young people and families who are at risk of harm or abuse, which will help them reduce the risk of that abuse or harm.
- - 5,771

Families Commission (M63)

Provision of services from the Families Commission to promote the interests of the full range of New Zealand families and promote better understanding of family issues and needs amongst government agencies and in the wider community, and to undertake a research programme.
7,670 7,670 8,170

Family Wellbeing Services (M63)

Purchase of services that aim to improve the life outcomes for children, young people and families through support and development programmes, and programmes that will prevent any future harm or abuse.
- - 45,637

Life Skills and Employment-Related Training Activities (M63)

This appropriation is limited to the provision of life-skills and employment-related training activities for at-risk youth within the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
543 543 543

Retirement Commissioner (M63)

Provision of services from the Retirement Commissioner to develop and promote methods of improving the effectiveness of retirement income policies. This is achieved through the publishing of information and the delivery of a comprehensive public education programme on retirement savings issues.
5,747 5,747 5,682

Strengthening Providers and Communities (M63)

Purchase of services that contribute to strengthening the capacity and capability of providers to deliver strong and effective social services.
- - 4,886

Strong Families (M63)

Purchase of services to improve outcomes for families and their members. These services aim to support vulnerable families with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
69,354 69,354 109,478

Student Placement Services (M63)

Provision of placement services for students for holiday and term employment.
3,512 3,512 3,512

Vocational Services for People with Disabilities (M63)

Provision of vocational services for people with disabilities including community participation and employment services.
85,911 85,911 88,240

Counselling and Rehabilitation Services (M10)

Purchase of services, including family counselling and other post-crisis interventions, that restore the wellbeing of children, young people and families who have suffered harm and abuse or other forms of family breakdown or youth justice issues.
11,254 11,254 -

Education and Prevention Services (M10)

Purchase of education and prevention programmes and initiatives that aim to provide skills to children, young people and families who are at risk of harm or abuse, which will help them reduce the risk of that abuse or harm.
5,952 5,952 -

Family Wellbeing Services (M10)

Purchase of services that aim to improve the life outcomes for children, young people and families through support and development programmes, and programmes that will prevent any future harm or abuse.
43,142 43,142 -

Strengthening Providers and Communities (M10)

Purchase of services that contribute to strengthening the capacity and capability of providers to deliver strong and effective social services.
4,915 4,915 -

Total Non-Departmental Output Expenses

244,313 244,313 288,666

Benefits and Other Unrequited Expenses

     

Accommodation Assistance (M63)

This appropriation is limited to the Accommodation Supplement, Special Transfer Allowance, and Away From Home Allowance to persons to cover accommodation costs, paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964 and delegated legislation issued under that Act.
- - 911,067

Benefits Paid in Australia (M63)

Reimbursement to the Australian Government for income support assistance provided to New Zealanders eligible under the 1994 Reciprocal Agreement, which was terminated for new entrants on 1 July 2002. From 1 July 2002 the Social Welfare (Reciprocity with Australia) Order 2002 came into force, with payments now reflecting pre-agreed amounts in Australian currency before adjusting for annual inflation.
57,903 57,903 51,041

Childcare Assistance (M63)

Provision of assistance for the costs of childcare that meets specific quality guidelines, where parents meet activity and income criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964 and delegated legislation issued under that Act.
154,932 150,983 167,657

Disability Assistance (M63)

This appropriation is limited to the Disability Allowance to persons with disability costs and the Child Disability Allowance to the caregivers of children with a serious disability, paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964 and delegated legislation issued under that Act.
278,936 278,420 387,390

Domestic Purposes Benefit (M63)

Provision of income support for sole parents, caregivers of sick or infirm people or women alone, whose domestic circumstances exclude them from fully participating in the labour force. Paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964.
1,479,573 1,475,322 1,512,754

Employment Related Training Assistance (M63)

Provision of assistance with costs of undertaking approved employment related training, which are paid in accordance with the criteria set out in delegated legislation under the Social Security Act 1964.
29,698 29,009 25,747

Family Start/NGO Awards (M63)

Payment of course fees for Family Start family/whanau and NGO workers pursuing social work qualifications.
539 539 660

Hardship Assistance (M63)

This appropriation is limited to the Funeral Grants, Live Organ Donors Assistance, Special Benefit, Special Needs Grants and Temporary Additional Support to provide means-tested temporary financial assistance to persons with emergency or essential costs, paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964 and delegated legislation issued under that Act.
- - 170,382

Independent Youth Benefit (M63)

Provision of income support for people aged 16 or 17 years who are currently unemployed but actively seeking work, training for work, at school, or sick, injured or disabled, where it is inappropriate for them to obtain financial support from their parents. Paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964.
13,325 13,239 13,557

Invalid's Benefit (M63)

Provision of means-tested income support for people who are totally blind, or permanently and severely restricted in their capacity for work due to sickness, injury or disability. Paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964.
1,216,701 1,214,440 1,314,903

New Zealand Superannuation (M63)

Provision of an income for people who have reached the qualifying age of 65 years and fulfil the residency requirements, as provided for in the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001.
7,360,454 7,347,474 7,739,321

Orphan's/Unsupported Child's Benefit (M63)

Provision of income support for people charged with the responsibility for the care of a child whose parents are dead or cannot be located, or suffer a serious long-term disablement which renders them unable to care for the child, or where there has been a breakdown in the child's family. Paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964. It also provides for payments to former foster parents receiving Orphan's Benefit or Unsupported Child's Benefit for a child previously in the care of Child, Youth and Family in accordance with criteria set out in delegated legislation under the Act.
80,616 80,298 87,566

Sickness Benefit (M63)

Provision of means-tested income support for people who are not in full-time employment and are limited in their capacity for work, or who are in employment but working at a reduced level, because of sickness, injury, disability or pregnancy. Paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964.
581,357 579,668 567,655

Special Annuities (M63)

Provision to pay annuities authorised by Cabinet to recognise a special contribution by the recipient to New Zealand society.
51 41 43

Special Circumstance Assistance (M63)

This appropriation is limited to financial assistance to people in special circumstances and comprises the Clothing Allowance, and providing assistance for community costs, domestic violence and witness protection relocation, home help, social rehabilitation assistance, telephone costs, and civil defence payments paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964, and delegated legislation under that Act; and Civilian Amputees Assistance, paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Disabled Persons Community Welfare Act 1975.
14,306 14,103 13,672

Student Allowances (M63)

This appropriation is limited to means-tested allowances for students on an approved study programme in accordance with the criteria established by the Student Allowance Regulations 1998; and payment of Student Allowance Transfer Grants to students with dependents in accordance with the criteria established by delegated legislation issued under the Social Security Act 1964.
387,153 384,118 411,378

Study Scholarships and Awards (M63)

This appropriation is limited to scholarships and awards to tertiary students awarded in accordance with Cabinet decisions; and Teach NZ Scholarships awarded in accordance with the Education Act 1989.
- - 42,790

Transition to Work (M63)

Provision of payments to beneficiaries, low income earners, students and ex beneficiaries, who meet certain criteria, to assist in the transition from benefit to employment and the continuation of employment. These provisions are paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Seasonal Work Assistance Programme and the Transition to Work Grant Programme pursuant to the Social Security Act 1964.
16,287 16,037 16,894

Unemployment Benefit and Emergency Benefit (M63)

Provision of means-tested assistance for people who are not in full-time employment and are available for and seeking full time employment, or engaged in approved activities. Also the provision of assistance to people who are in hardship and unable to earn enough income for themselves (and any dependent family) and cannot receive another benefit. Both forms of assistance are paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964 and delegated legislation issued under that Act.
456,694 454,848 417,408

Widow's Benefit (M63)

Provision of means-tested income support for women whose partners have died and who do not yet qualify for New Zealand Superannuation, but meet residency and other requirements. Paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security Act 1964.
72,800 72,586 69,294

Accommodation Supplement (M63)

Provision of financial assistance to people with high accommodation costs relative to income and with limited cash assets. Paid to people who meet the eligibility criteria under sections 61E to 61EC of the Social Security Act 1964.
892,094 888,435 -

Child Disability Allowance (M63)

Provision of non-means tested income support for the principal caregiver of a child with a serious disability. Paid in accordance with the criteria set out in sections 39A to 39E of the Social Security Act 1964.
88,340 88,092 -

Merit Scholarships (M63)

Provision of bonded scholarships that reward New Zealand's most academically capable students by providing financial support.
7,500 7,500 -

Scholarship and NQF/NCEA Awards (M63)

Provision of awards in recognition of achievement in New Zealand Scholarship and the National Qualifications Framework/National Certificate of Education Achievement Level 3.
4,639 4,639 -

Special Benefit (M63)

Provision of means-tested discretionary assistance to clients whose particular circumstances are causing ongoing hardship, in accordance with criteria set out in section 61G of the Social Security Act 1964 and in the Special Benefit Ministerial Direction made pursuant to section 5 of the Social Security Act 1964. This non-taxable payment is not intended as a long-term solution to a client's shortfall. It is paid to help meet essential costs while the client makes efforts to reduce their living costs or increase their income.
71,055 70,738 -

Special Needs Grants (M63)

Provision of means-tested mainly non-recoverable assistance for people who have an immediate need because they face emergency or essential costs, or in specific circumstances. Paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Special Needs Grants Programme made pursuant to section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964. Means tested Funeral Grants are payable under sections 61D to 61DE of the Social Security Act 1964.
59,568 58,211 -

Special Transfer Allowance (M63)

Provision of assistance with accommodation costs to recipients of the Special Transfer Allowance prior to November 2000 and to former Tenure Protection Allowance recipients who ceased to be eligible because HNZC sold their house to a private landlord. Paid in accordance with the criteria set out in the Special Transfer Allowance Programme 2000 pursuant to section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964.
136 126 -

Step Up Scholarships (M63)

Provision of financial support to assist young students from low income backgrounds to participate in high cost tertiary education courses.
8,064 8,064 -

TeachNZ Scholarships (M63)

Provision of financial support for early childhood, Maori medium and some secondary subject teacher trainees.
17,616 17,616 -

Temporary Additional Support (M63)

Provision of means tested temporary financial assistance of last resort to alleviate financial hardship for people whose essential costs cannot be met from their chargeable income and other sources, as set out in accordance with criteria in section 61 G and in accordance with any regulations made under section 132AB of the Social Security Act 1964 which comes into force on 1 April 2006. This non-taxable payment is made to help meet essential living costs while clients reduce their commitments and live within their usual income.
53,246 52,884 -

Transitional Supplement (M63)

Provision of supplementary financial assistance to ensure that beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries who may be otherwise unintentionally financially disadvantaged by changes to legislation will be no worse off financially at the point of change. Paid in accordance with criteria set out in the Social Security (Transitional Protection Supplement) Regulations 2007 made under the Social Security Amendment Act 2007.
12 2 -

Total Benefits and Other Unrequited Expenses

13,403,595 13,365,335 13,921,179

Non-Departmental Other Expenses

     

Community Labour Market Development Assistance (M63)

Assistance to communities and groups to develop initiatives leading to sustainable opportunities for employment that lead to self sufficiency and contribute to the local economy.
9,333 9,333 9,333

Contingency and Innovations Fund (M63)

Contributing to the funding of social or welfare providers experiencing unforeseen financial difficulty or the purchase of innovative proposals to meet outcomes sought by the Minister.
- - 365

Debt Write-downs (M63)

Provision for write-downs of Crown debt administered by the Ministry of Social Development due to debt write offs or debt provisions resulting from the need to value debt in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice.
631,372 631,372 670,098

Employment Assistance (M63)

Provision of assistance to help address barriers faced by job seekers so they can become work ready, move into employment and stay in employment for longer periods of time. This employment assistance is governed by the Cabinet and Ministerial Guidelines for Employment and Training Assistance.
85,468 85,468 74,927

Out of School Care Programmes (M63)

Provision of assistance to CYF approved OSCAR programmes to assist with the establishment and/or operating costs of OSCAR programmes.
15,002 15,002 18,677

Contingency and Innovations Fund (M10)

Contributing to the funding of social or welfare providers experiencing unforeseen financial difficulty or the purchase of innovative proposals to meet outcomes sought by the Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment (CYF).
365 365 -

Suspensory Loan Abatement (M63)

Provision for the abatement of suspensory loans.
10 10 -

Total Non-Departmental Other Expenses

741,550 741,550 773,400

Departmental Capital Expenditure

     

Ministry of Social Development - Capital Expenditure PLA (M63)

This appropriation is limited to the purchase or development of assets by and for the use of the Ministry of Social Development, as authorised by section 24(1) of the Public Finance Act 1989
78,648 78,648 119,133

Total Departmental Capital Expenditure

78,648 78,648 119,133

Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure

     

Recoverable Assistance (M63)

Facility for low-income earners and beneficiaries to access means-tested assistance to enable them to meet essential and immediate needs, or costs in specific circumstances. Criteria are set out in the Welfare Programme for Recoverable Assistance for Non-Beneficiaries,Ministerial Direction for Advance Payment of Benefits and recoverable Special Needs Grants in relevant parts of Welfare Programme for Special Needs Grants pursuant to the Social Security Act 1964.
118,287 117,214 122,013

Student Loans (M63)

This appropriation is limited to loans to tertiary students undertaking studies at approved tertiary institutions in accordance with Cabinet decisions.
1,216,238 1,200,661 1,296,382

Community Services Card Reimbursements (M63)

Provision to reimburse low-income earners who are eligible for, but are yet to receive, a Community Services Card in accordance with the criteria set out in regulation 5(1) of the Health Entitlement Cards Regulations 1993.
104 94 -

Total Non-Departmental Capital Expenditure

1,334,629 1,317,969 1,418,395

Total Annual and Permanent Appropriations

16,949,182 16,894,262 17,676,434

Details of Projected Movements in Departmental
Net Assets#

Ministry of Social Development

Ministry of Social Development - Details of Projected Movements in Departmental Net Assets - Social Development
Details of Net Asset Schedule Estimated
Actual 2007/08
$000
Projected
2008/09
$000
Explanation of Projected Movements in 2008/09
Opening Balance 329,295 329,295  
Capital Injections - 36,087 Capital contribution approved for the construction of the Youth Justice Central Facility at Parekarangi Trust site in Rotorua
Capital Withdrawals - -  
Surplus to be Retained (Deficit Incurred) - -  
Other Movements - -  
Closing Balance 329,295 365,382