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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has approved funding for 131 community organisations through the Community Response Fund.

More than $7.5 million has been allocated in this fifth round of the CRF.

“We created this fund to help organisations keep delivering services to families through tough financial times,” said Minister Bennett.

“Since June last year, we’ve put $41 million into 779 community organisations and it’s helped keep many afloat,” says Ms Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has launched a new resource to help support teen fathers.

The booklet Supporting Teen Fathers: A resource for service providers will be used by organisations working directly with teen fathers.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says latest figures show online job vacancies increased by 2.6% over the last three months.

“It's good to see jobs vacancies are still on the rise as winter ends and the holiday season begins,” says Ms Bennett.

Skilled job vacancies also rose by 2.7% during the three months to November.

Hospitality and tourism (up 7.5%), and IT (up 7.3%) were the best industry performers.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today celebrated with 14 young people from foster care who won William Wallace Awards.

William Wallace scholarships are an annual award for children in care, sparked by a bequest to Child, Youth and Family from a former foster child.

“I'm always impressed with young people who achieve their goals with absolute determination,” says Ms Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett unveiled the Government’s new cyber contract mapping tool in Parliament today.

Contract Mapping details community providers’ locations and the Government funding they receive around the country, on a publicly accessible website.

“Using technology to provide this level of detail is a first and reflects this Government’s focus on transparency and accountability,” says Ms Bennett.

There are 2,250 fewer New Zealanders on Unemployment Benefits since November, but the overall number on benefits has risen by 1.2%

As usual with universities finishing for summer, an influx of students (5,802) going onto benefits pushed overall benefit numbers up.

“But we are still seeing jobseekers find work, in fact more than 8,000 people went off benefits and into work last month,” says Ms Bennett.

Of the total 8,384 people who cancelled their benefits because they found jobs, 5,418 had been on an Unemployment Benefit.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett joined families and staff today at a graduation ceremony for young offenders.

“The young men who came here after committing serious offences have been challenged to take responsibility and make a fresh start,” says Ms Bennett.

“They will face challenges and temptations but I’m backing them because I believe if they work hard, they can turn their lives around,” says Ms Bennett.

Youth offenders spend two months on an intensive residential programme know as Military Activity Camp (MAC).

Youth Affairs Minister Paula Bennett is challenging councils to reach out to local young people through the Youth Development Partnership Fund.

"I also want to encourage young people to step out of their shells, look beyond  Facebook and TV and take part in their communities," says Ms Bennett.

The Youth Development Partnership Fund finances councils to develop education, training and employment projects with input from local youth.

From today, the National Government's Fresh Start package provides a new approach for serious youth offenders and at-risk young people.

The National-led Government's tax reform package will see beneficiaries compensated tomorrow for the rise in GST.

Future Focus changes in effect today underline National's commitment to rebalancing incentives and obligations in the welfare system.

The people of Canterbury have shown remarkable resilience as they get on with the business of rebuilding says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

The introduction of the National-led Government's tax reform package will see New Zealand Superannuation payments increase on 1 October 2010 and leave Superannuitants better off even after the GST

The Government has today officially responded to the Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is impressed with the effort made by Work and Income staff since the earthquake and has received substantial support for the checks that were made on the e

Support schemes are assisting Canterbury individuals, employers and community providers affected by the earthquake, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has announced a special $7.5 million Community Response Fund for social service providers in Canterbury.

Minister for Social Development, Paula Bennett has pledged $2.5 Million for trauma counselling to support Canterbury's shaken and quake weary residents.

The Government has announced a wage subsidy to support employees of small businesses seriously disrupted by the Canterbury earthquake.

The number of people on benefits rose 0.7% in August but despite this, thousands of beneficiaries continued to find jobs says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than two thousand people have called the 0800 779997 Government helpline so far.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says more than a thousand people have called the Government's earthquake helpline for assistance.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today released a report in Masterton, which provides a unique snapshot of local social services.

Minister of Social Development Paula Bennett has announced the appointment of two new part-time Families Commissioners to replace outgoing Commissioners.