$1.46 Billion for PATH

The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) will receive $1.46 billion for the 2007/08 fiscal year, to provide better, and more cost-effective social assistance to the poor and most vulnerable in the society.
This provision is contained in the 2007/08 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives.
Funded by the Government of Jamaica and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the programme seeks to support the government’s efforts to transform the Social Security Net (SSN) into a fiscally sound and more efficient system of social assistance for the poor and vulnerable.
In addition, the programme aims to consolidate major income transfer programmes into unified benefit programmes that ensure: meaningful levels of benefits; cost-efficient and accessible delivery system; and access to benefits linked to desirable behaviour changes for promoting investment in human capital and development of the poor, especially children.
PATH during the 2007/08 fiscal period is expected to make monthly payments to approximately 236,000 eligible beneficiaries; implement an electronic payment system; complete the establishment of an Information System to support the efficient management of the programme; continue the institutionalization phase of the programme; continue the re-certification exercise of all PATH beneficiaries; and complete the legislative framework of the programme.
Since its establishment in February 2002, some 203,528 beneficiaries have received payments under the programme; approximately 20,000 poor relief beneficiaries received payments; and more than 300 information dissemination sessions called ‘PATH Days’ have been held islandwide. The programme was extended by the World Bank to March 2008.