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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Future Focus changes are reducing reliance on welfare and saving taxpayer dollars.

“The changes we made in 2010 are having a significant impact by introducing an active approach to welfare,” says Mrs Bennett.

Future Focus changes mean people have to reapply for the Unemployment Benefit after one year and sole parents on the DPB are required to look for part time work when their youngest is six years old.

More young people are going off benefit into work and education, with better support to be independent thanks to the Government’s welfare reforms.

“There are 8,367 fewer young people on Unemployment Benefits since 2010 when it peaked at 23,545,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

“In the last quarter alone just under 6,000 young people went off benefits and into work, and many more went into full time study. We can’t underestimate the significance of that for individuals.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is pleased with progress on MSD-led initiatives within the Prime Minister’s Youth Mental Health Project.

The Project aims to significantly improve the way the Government supports young people with mild to moderate mental health problems.

“MSD has contributed $12.2 million in funding over four years towards eight specific initiatives, all of which are progressing on-track or ahead of schedule,” Mrs Bennett said.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has hosted an event at Parliament to celebrate the rebranding of Children’s Health Camps.

“From today Children’s Health Camps will be known as Stand Children’s Services – Tu Maia Whanau,” says Mrs Bennett.

“The rebranding represents the start of an exciting new era for the iconic organisation, which has provided care and services for vulnerable children since 1919.”

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain has announced the extension of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service until 30 June 2015.

The Service has been operating since mid-2009 to provide a confidential environment in which people in state care before 1992 can voice their concerns about abuse, neglect, or the way in which they were treated.

This includes people who spent time in psychiatric hospital, health camps, child welfare homes, foster care, and special education homes.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says there are 29,000 fewer New Zealanders receiving benefits since the last quarter.

This is the lowest benefit numbers have been at this time of year since 2009.

“I’m really pleased to see this significant reduction in benefits and I take my hat off to the more than 17,600 people who went off the Unemployment, DPB and Sickness Benefits and into work in the last quarter.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is working with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) to discuss support for their members.

Minister Bennett has confirmed an extra $10 million will go to grandparents raising grandchildren and other carers in similar circumstances, as part of the White Paper for Vulnerable Children.

“I was delighted to invite the organisation to work with us providing advice on how best to allocate the extra funds through a Ministerial Reference Group.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the passing of the Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill into law.

“The changes we’re introducing will modernise and simplify the welfare system,” Mrs Bennett said.

“They will also ensure work expectations and social obligations are balanced with the right incentives and support.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced changes to the funding system for Out of School Care (OSCAR) programmes.

“After consultation with and advice from the sector, we’re improving funding so it’s fair and equitable and targeting priority communities for more services.”

The current ‘deficit-based’ funding system has created a perverse incentive as providers get more funding when operating at a loss which can encourage inefficient practise.

“It just didn’t make sense to continue that.”

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today congratulated local success in Dunedin through work and training programmes.

“Going from being on benefit to being in work isn’t always easy and takes real effort and determination, but I’m backing people to do this with the right support.”

Around the country, the Government has been working with employers, local councils and community groups to get people off welfare into work, this support is paying off.

E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.

There are things non-government organisations can do that government just can’t.

NGOs move faster and get alongside families and communities in a way Government can’t.

They often know their communities best.

The Government still has a role to play, by providing a framework, direction and support

Sometimes though, the best thing the Government can do is get out of the way

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the passing of the Social Assistance (Living Alone Payments) Amendment Bill into law.

“The changes passed today will make it easier for single superannuitants and single veteran’s pensioners living alone who need financial support.”

“We’ve simplified the application system and removed unnecessary barriers for older New Zealanders to ensure they get their full entitlement.’’

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett welcomes the next stage of debate on welfare reform amidst continued public support for it.

“But what astounds me is the emotive rhetoric, misinformation and scaremongering from those who fail to see beyond benefit dependency.”

The Council of Trade Unions today argues we’re in a time of “unprecedented high unemployment” so shouldn’t attempt to improve the welfare system.

The National Government’s decision to introduce Social Workers in Hospitals is making a difference by better protecting children says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

When hospitals admit children or young people they’re concerned about, or have previously been involved with Child, Youth and Family, a social worker engages with the family and hospital staff.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has welcomed a deal which has provided two weeks paid full-time work experience in the Census call centre.

“Work and Income and Telnet agreed on a deal to recruit 222 beneficiaries for the Census call centre, providing valuable on-the-job experience.”

“Sixteen people have already been given fulltime positions as a result,” says Mrs Bennett.

The $43.7 million initiative to provide Gateway Assessments for children in care is making a difference says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

This life-changing government initiative to address health, mental health and educational needs in children in care is picking up serious health issues.

“Children are in State care because they’ve suffered serious abuse or neglect which can have a devastating effect on their health and development.”

There have been no cuts to government funding to the Benefit Advocacy Information Service and the Ministry of Social Development continues to fund this advocacy service in line with other similar organisations.

“Baseline funding for BAIS has increased under National, and is above funding levels it received under Labour,” say Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The number of people on the Domestics Purposes Benefit, Invalids Benefit and Unemployment Benefit all decreased in 2012.

"It will be a surprise to no one that during tough economic times the number of people on benefits increased. The welfare system should be there to support those who need it, and Work and Income were very responsive to those who lost their jobs and needed help," says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Children’s Day is officially marked on Sunday 3 March, but the entire weekend will see communities get together across the country to celebrate children and positive parenting.

“Hundreds of events are happening around the country this weekend to mark this special day,” Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said.

Events include enjoy bouncy castles, music, face painting, treasure hunts, and fun activities for children and families.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today launched the Social Media Innovations Fund with five projects to focus on improving youth mental health.

The Social Media Innovations Fund supports organisations to relate to young people through innovative projects, so they build resilience and get help when they need it.

“These projects will use social media in a smart, savvy way, encouraging young people to reach out and share their worries and concerns and stay connected to those who can help,” says Mrs Bennett.

With a focus on helping people off welfare and into work, benefit numbers have remained below predictions despite the economic conditions.

The number of people on the Unemployment Benefit was predicted to rise to 90,000 as a result of the recession, but peaked at 68,369 in January 2010.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says Work and Income, backed by the Government has maintained a strong focus on jobs.

E nga mana, e nga reo, e te iwi o te motu, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa

Thank you Prime Minister for your introduction, and thank you also to Peter Clare and Westpac for hosting this event.

It’s great to see you all here, especially those from the Phobic Trust, Youthline, and ZEAL, whose innovative social media projects I’ll be talking about tonight.

It’s also great to see people here from organisations working with young people day in, day out. Thank you for coming.

I’m excited by the Social Media Innovations Fund.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says policy changes introduced through staged welfare reforms are seeing real gains for New Zealanders.

Future Focus, implemented in 2010 as a pre-cursor to major reforms introduced clear obligations and greater fairness to the benefits system.

Future Focus changes include requiring:

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has taken Ministerial leadership of the sexual violence sector which currently sits across several portfolios.

It’s an important step reflecting the importance of the work sexual violence service providers do and the difficulties they face.

“The sector has struggled and I think a big part of the problem is that they don’t have a single Minister to look to for leadership, so I’m prepared to take on that responsibility,” says Mrs Bennett