Toni gives the elderly, disabled some hope

 SOCIAL protection for the elderly and disabled people will soon be implemented, says Religion, Youth and Community Development Minister Loujaya Toni.

Presenting her first quarter report to Parliament yesterday, Toni said a formal submission on social protection would be presented to the National Executive Council (NEC) for approval to fast-track the establishment of a social pension policy for the disabled and elderly persons.

“At this time, the ministry has initiated the interim establishment of a secretariat to formulate concept note on the policy framework for NEC consideration towards institutional support and pace for policy development,” she said.

“The approach undertaken initialises the O’Neill government’s directive as per Activity No. 61 of the Alotau Accord on person policy for the disable and elderly population for the country.”

The minister said K1 million had been allocated for the exercise but the department was still awaiting funds to be released for implementation.

She said initial meetings were held between the government, World Bank and key development partners to map out an action plan.

“The World Bank, as a developing partner, is committed to provide to the department technical assistance that will ensure advisory support such that the recommended social pension modals harmonise with our existing traditional safety net,” she said.

Toni also told Parliament that one of her department’s major projects would be to integrate the civil registration and have E-ID permanently housed with the civil registry office as the legally mandated institution.

She added that the department had completed its revised corporate plan 2013-2016.

Toni said she was pleased with the progress on the revised National Council of Women with a policy submission before the NEC consideration for funding.

She also said that partnership with churches would be enhanced to outsource early childhood learning and community mentorship programmes.

Toni commended the government for ratification of the United Nations Convention on the rights of  people with disability.